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 Witches and wizards trapped me in my mother's womb till 12th month - Obasanjo Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has recalled how his mother carried his pregnancy for 12 months before his eventual birth. According to the retired military general, the delay in his birth was linked to the influence of some witches and wizards who gave his mother a tough time before God's intervention. Obasanjo revealed this while speaking during a drama presentation titled 'Aremu omo Asabi' held to mark 66 years remembrance of Obasanjo’s late mother, Bernice Obasanjo. This is contained issued by the former President's Media Assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Thursday, July 25, 2024. The drama was staged at the main auditorium of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital on Wednesday. Obasanjo, however, rued the fact that his mother never lived long enough to witness how God had helped him to become great in life and of course, enjoy the fruits of her hard ...

 Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and the son of his ex-partner, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, were arrested on Thursday in El Paso, Texas, in a major coup for U.S. authorities that may also reshape the Mexican criminal landscape. Zambada is one of the most consequential traffickers in Mexico's history and co-founded the Sinaloa Cartel with El Chapo, who was extradited to the United States in 2017 and is serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison. Both Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of El Chapo, face multiple charges in the U.S. for funneling huge quantities of drugs to U.S. streets, including fentanyl, which has surged to become the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. Zambada, who is believed to be in his 70s, and Guzman Lopez, who is in his 30s, were detained after landing in a private plane in the El Paso area, two U.S. officials told Reuters. Guzman Lopez is one of four sons of El Chapo -- known ...

 EFCC Arrests 13 Suspected Illegal Miners in Abuja Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 13 suspected illegal miners in the Asokoro area of Abuja on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The suspects were intercepted and arrested following credible intelligence linking them with transportation of tons of coal and kaolin in five trucks from Nassarawa State to a site in Kaduna State. The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation. More photos below 

 Alleged economic sabotage: Senate summons petroleum minister, NNPCL, CBN, NPA, others The Senate through its ad hoc committee mandated to investigate alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian petroleum industry, has summoned various stakeholders in the sector for interrogation. The 15-man committee led by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), made this known to journalists on Thursday at a press briefing on the scope of the assignment and the readiness to unveil the alleged saboteurs in the sector. Key among the stakeholders in the petroleum sector summoned to appear before the committee at a public hearing fixed for September 10 to September 12, 2024, are the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA. Others are Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Nigerian Upstream Pet...

 8 children rescued from ghastly accident in Kogi Eight school children have survived a ghastly motor accident in Lokoja the Kogi State capital. Eyewitness account told newsmen that the children are pupils of Kingdom Heritage Nursery and Primary School Lokoja. It was gathered that the children were returning from school when the sad incident occurred on Thursday at the popular Lokongoma market in Lokoja. It was further gathered that a heavy-duty truck carrying a container load fell on two small vehicles which trapped the Children. Through the combined effort of the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies, the children were rescued. The Kogi State Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara Rtd. who was on ground to ensure the rescue of the school children confirmed this to newsmen on Thursday. As of the time of filing this report, efforts are still in place to ensure that the truck is evacuated from the road to ensure free flow of traffic.

 Ohanaeze Ndigbo President, Iwuanyanwu, Dies At 82 Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President General of an Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is dead. Iwuanyanwu’s death was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by his son, Jide Iwuanyanwu. The 82-year-old businessman was said to have died on Thursday after a brief illness. “The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State announces the demise of our patriarch, Engr Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo. “Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday July 25, 2024 after a brief illness. He was aged 82. Chief Iwuanyanwu before his death was President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and President of Owerri Peoples Assembly,” the statement read. Iwuanyanwu is survived by his wife, Lady Princess Frances Iwuanyanwu, many children and grandchildren. The statement stated that the burial details would be announced later by the family after due consultations.

 Somaliland warns Somalia against Turkish Navy deal Somaliland warned Somalia against agreeing to a deployment of Turkish troops off the coast of the breakaway state, according to Bloomberg. Somalia and Turkey earlier this year signed a defense agreement to improve stability in the region, and an economic pact that includes developing the Horn of African nation’s hydrocarbon resources. The move followed Somaliland’s own deal with Ethiopia in January that promised the landlocked nation’s navy an Indian Ocean base for 50 years. In exchange, Ethiopia would recognize the sovereignty of the semi-autonomous Somalia region - the first nation to do so. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking parliament’s approval to send the navy ahead of a seismic research ship that will set sail at the end of September to prospect for oil and gas in three offshore blocks, according to state-run Anadolu Agency. The foreign ministry in the breakaway region said in a statement on X it “vehemently rejects ...

The bodies of five hostages taken during the Hamas raid on October 7, 2023, were recovered in southern Gaza, according to Israeli military. Clockwise from top left: Tomer Ahimas, Ravid Katz, Oren Goldin, Maya Goren, and Kiril Brodski The Israeli military has reported the recovery of the bodies of five Israelis taken back to Gaza as hostages during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. They were identified as kindergarten teacher Maya Goren and soldiers Major Ravid Aryeh Katz, Master Sergeant Oren Goldin, Staff Sergeant Tomer Ahimas, and Sergeant Kiril Brodski. They were found during an operation in the Khan Younis area. The military said Goren was murdered in captivity, while the soldiers were killed in combat, with their bodies then carried away. With the recovery of those five, it leaves 111 of the 251 people taken hostage still in captivity. The military believes that 39 of them are dead. Discussion: The news comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu is ...

 Twenty-five migrants have been killed in a shipwreck off the coast of Mauritania, according to the country's news agency, with dozens missing. The incident took place near the capital city of Nouakchott. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said that more than 190 people were still missing and that a rescue operation was underway to recover people. The Mauritanian coastguard rescued 103 migrants and recovered 25 bodies a coastguard commander said. The IOM said around 300 people had boarded a wooden pirogue boat in Gambia, and spent seven days at sea before the boat capsized on 22 July.

 ''Hoodlums Will Loot Our Shops'', Kaduna Non-Indigenes Condemn Planned Protest, Say They Won't Participate Non- indigenes in Kaduna State have raised alarm over consequences of the planned nationwide protest against soaring cost of living and economic hardship in the country, alleging that hoodlums hiding under the protest would loot their shops; market and business premises across the State. According to members of the Kaduna Non Indigenes Forum especially the Igbo traders, they decided to withdraw from the protest, because of past experiences in which once there was any protest action or crisis situation in the State, the target was usually market stalls and business areas with extensive looting of food items; electronics and valuables . The Kaduna Non-Indegenes Forum in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Chief Emeke Emmanuel Okafor and Secretary, Mr Adewale Peter Adelanwa urged the citizens to shun the directive to embark on the planned protest, conside...

 Kaduna Teen Reveals Family Eat Grass To Survive Amid Economic Crisis  Aheart-wrenching video has surfaced, showing a teenage boy from the Barnawa community in Kaduna State, who is forced to gather grass meant for livestock as food for his family due to extreme poverty. The boy, who is estimated to be between 12 and 16 years old, is seen carrying a sack of grass from a farm. In his testimony, he reveals how his family has resorted to consuming grass due to unbearable hardship, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by his household. The boy who spoke in Hausa language explained, “We prepare the grass with Maggi (seasoning cube) and groundnut cake (known as Kulikuli). It can be eaten alone or with these ingredients.” The teenage boy shared that his family has been forced to rely on grass as a substitute for food because they can no longer afford staple meals like spaghetti or rice. In a poignant plea, he urged the government to intervene, saying, “We need palliative measures...

 EKSU ASUU raises alarm as abducted ex-DVC spends over 2 weeks in captivity The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti Branch, has expressed concern over the refusal of the abductors of a former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, of the university, Prof. Femi Olaofe, to release him two weeks after he was kidnapped. In a statement in Ado Ekiti, ASUU Chairman, Professor Sola Afolayan, said the union and the university community are deeply concerned and worried about the well-being of the octogenarian who has been held hostage for more than two weeks. Afolayan condemned the abduction of the octogenarian whom he said had served his father land meritoriously and made meaningful impact. The ASUU chairman appealed to the abductors to release him unhurt. He called on government and the security agencies in the state to step up their rescue mission and bring back the former DVC hale and hearty. Afolayan said, “We are not happy and comf...

  S’ East Dev’t Commission Bill Sponsored By Nwawuba, Igariwey not Ben Kalu —Rep Members Following the signing into law by President Bola Tinubu of two bills creating two new regional development commissions, members of the House of Representatives have denounced claim by the Deputy Speaker , Hon Benjamin Kalu of being the sponsor of the bill The two bills namely North West Development Commission (NWDC), and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) were signed into law on Tuesday Reacting to the report from the Deputy Speaker , two members of the House of Representatives accused the Deputy Speaker of falsely claiming bills sponsored by honourable colleagues and intentionally undermining the efforts of house members One of the House members who chose to maintain anonymity revealed that the originators of the bill were Hon Chukwuma Onyema of 8th National Assembly and Hon Henry Nwawuba of the 9th Assembly. “When the bill failed to scale through as expected during the 9th National ...

 Planned Protest Stage For Kenya-Like Anarchy – Military Ahead of the planned nationwide protest over economic hardship in the country, the military has warned organisers of the protest against any form of violence. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday warned that the military won’t allow anarchy to befall Nigeria. He hinted that organisers of the planned protest intend to replicate the recent protest-turn-anarchy demonstration in the East African country Kenya. General Buba said although citizens have a right to ventilate their grievances, the military won’t condone any form of violent gatherings or protests. He added that the military has uncovered plots by unscrupulous elements to hijack the protest and turn it into a violent one by attacking innocent Nigerians and their businesses. “While citizens have the right to peaceful protest, they do not have the right to mobilise for anarchy and unleash terror. “It...

 FG Spent $1.5bn To Protect Oil Installations In Four Years — SGF The Federal Government has spent over $1.5 billion from 2020 to date to protect the nation’s oil installations and curb crude oil theft. The Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, made this known on Thursday at a public hearing of the House of Representatives on crude oil theft. Akume was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Maurice Nandi. The SGF said the Federal Government was worried about the report of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) which pointed to over $46 billion worth of stolen crude between 2009 and 2020. The House had set up a special committee headed by the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Ado Doguwa, to investigate the losses in the oil and gas sector. Also, Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, said $10 billion has been lost in seven months to crude oil theft, a...

 Mischief-Makers Bent On Hijacking Planned Protest, Attack Car Owners — DHQ The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, said it has uncovered a plot by mischief-makers to attack car owners, landlords and smartphone users during the planned ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest slated for next month. “Already, we have detected some unscrupulous elements bent on hijacking the planned protest to make it violent. Many are therefore following in ignorance,” said Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, at a press briefing in Abuja. “For instance, there are indications that if you possess a smartphone, if you possess a car, if you possess a shop, if you own a house or even use air conditioning in your house, you have been labelled a target.” He warned against any form of violence during the planned nationwide demonstration and hinted that the organisers of the planned protest intend to replicate the recent protest-turn-anarchy demonstration in the East African country Kenya...

 We can handle local government elections – INEC The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it can comfortably handle the conduct of local government elections if the responsibility falls on it. The Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, stated this on Thursday when he appeared before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters over preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. According to him, INEC has the capacity to handle the local government elections but that would only be possible pending when the law is amended to permit it to do so. He explained that the Commission had been conducting area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory which has been devoid of the problems associated with the conduct of local government elections in the states. He also pointed out some advantages of INEC handling LG elections to include regular elections as at when due, stability of tenure. He als...

 Devt Commission will heal civil war wounds, say Kalu, Uzodimma, Ohanaeze There was an outpouring of gratitude by Igbo leaders yesterday over the signing into law of the South-East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill. They believe it will address marginalisation concerns in the region. House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide said the President has done what his predecessors failed to do. Kalu noted that with the development, President Tinubu has successfully addressed the perceived post-civil war neglect of the region. The Deputy Speaker, who sponsored the Bill, told reporters that for about 54 years after the Civil War, no administration could actualise the post-civil war rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation policy. Evening Roundup: Stories making waves in The Nation - The Nation0.00 / 0.00 He said President Tinubu gave to the Southeast in one year what several years of the Peoples D...

 Ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal warns Tinubu against arresting Peter Obi over planned protest A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has warned the Federal Government against any attempt to arrest the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Gregory Obi, on the alleged sponsorship of the planned nationwide protests by some aggrieved Nigerians. The ex-SGF, who was one of the strongest supporters and pillars of Obi in the 2023 presidential election, warned that the consequences of arresting Obi would be too severe for the Federal Government to handle. Babachir Lawal, speaking with newsmen on the issue, debunked the allegations by President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, that the nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria was being sponsored by Obi and the Obidient Movement. He also warned the government not to use force against the protesters, saying doing so may be a “catalyst for chaos”. “Bola Tinubu should not...

 Nigerians hungry, you can’t stop August 1 protest – Primate Ayodele to Tinubu The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, on Thursday, cautioned President Bola Tinubu not to stop the upcoming August 1 protest against hardship in the country. Primate Ayodele said Nigerians are very bitter and have formed hatred toward the present government due to the hardship in the country. In a statement by his Media Aide, Oluwatosin Osho, Ayodele said the protest will hold but the government should work on mitigating the effects by reducing the prices of essential commodities like food, fuel, electricity, etc. The clergy explained that the current hardship is affecting the poor and rich because many didn’t expect it to get to this level even though he warned them before voting in another APC government. He urged the president to discard those deceiving him that the economic situation of the country is getting better. According to Ayodele, ‘’People are very bitter an...

 41 Year Old Nwalobi Fredrick Admits To Impregnating His 16 Year Old In-law In Ekwulobia.  By Chidinma Ikeanyionwu 41 year old Nwalobi Fredrick from Ebonyi state, but resident in Ekwulobia has admitted to Impregnating his 16 year old in law. This was after the family of the 16 year old reported the incident at the office of the Women and Social Welfare Commissioner in Awka. Mr Nwalobi, an artisan in Ekwulobia, blamed the devil for the crime. Contrary to what the suspect had earlier told the Honourable Commissioner, the 16 year old girl stated that the incident started after she was kept in her in laws care late January to enable her finish her secondary education since the demise of her mother. She explained that it was just a day after settling in his house that Mr Nwalobi first had carnal knowledge of her and ever since has been having his way with her body. Upon further interrogation, she revealed that she's already four months gone, and ever since she became pregnant, her ...

 Registrar lauds Anambra Excellence in NECO Examinations, Urges Boost in Enrollment By Obiageli Nwankwo The Registrar, National Examination Council (NECO), Prof Ibrahim Wushishi  has disclosed that Anambra State is performing very well in all examinations conducted by the council.  The NECO Registrar disclosed this in an interactive session with the Anambra State Commissioner of Education, Prof.Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, and Heads of Departments at the Ministry of Education headquarters in Awka, Anambra State. The Prof praised the state for its exceptional performance in NECO examinations, highlighting that the state recorded the highest number of successful candidates in the recent Gifted Children Entrance Examination for admission into Federal Government Academy, Suleja thus showcasing its educational prowess. He emphasized the importance of NECO certification as a national identity and a gateway to higher education, urging Anambra to increase students' enrollment. He also advoc...

 Ten most beautiful women in the world, according to science, and their Golden Ratio scores, are revealed. See below. Anya Taylor-Joy - 94.66% Zendaya - 94.37% Bella Hadid - 94.35% Margot Robbie - 93.43% Song Hye-kyo - 92.67% Beyoncé - 92.4% Taylor Swift - 91.64% Zhang Ziyi - 91.51% Alia Bhatt - 91.14% Nazanin Boniadi - 90.89%. So no pure black woman on the list?  More photos below.

 I have dated some girls and the reason why they kept leaving was because they expected me to do what their father could not do for them. I was popular in high school with no car. Anytime I'm entering the Okada I put on helmet to cover my face, it was so shameful because I couldn't afford to buy a car.  There was this girl in the hostel, even when I'm struggling with my Identity and trekking, she expected me to buy her a car. When she discovered I couldn't afford one she started hanging around guys with cars before she eventually left me.  If you listened to my songs, they're all inspired by experiences. To all the girls, thank you for br£aking my heart. You can see my Mansions now. I turned that experience into my investment by converting the lyrics to music.  That same money that made you left me, I'm swimming in it. - Paul of P-Square narrate his life experience back in the days on HipTV.

 “It is satanic” – MURIC requests for ban of movie where actresses wore Niqab The Muslim community of Nigeria has voiced displeasure following the release of a movie poster depicting actresses robbing a bank while wearing Niqabs. Muslims vowed to submit a complaint with Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, seeking action against the account guilty for spreading what they characterized as “Islamophobic content” after the movie poster was uploaded on Facebook. A Facebook user called Latifat Adewunmi Jumah blasted the film, saying, “The niqab/hijab is not an armed robbery attire! The niqab/hijab is not an attire for concealing identity.” She said,  “If you needed to conceal your identity for a perfect robbery role, you could have used a nose mask or worn a mask. Why wear Islamic attire? “I find it offensive. Something must be done to stop these folks. “Niqab/Hijab is neither a costume nor a joke.” Another Facebook user, identified as Alfa Shehu, wrote,  “And one of...

 Cameroonian president postpones municipal elections Cameroonian President Paul Biya on Wednesday evening signed a decree postponing municipal elections scheduled for February next year, Xinhua reported. The decree extended the mandate for current municipal councilors for a year from its expiry date of Feb. 25, 2025 to May 31, 2026. The decree came barely two weeks after the country's National Assembly, or the lower house of parliament, approved a bill extending the mandate for its current lawmakers for a year. Biya did not say why the elections have been postponed but officials of the ruling party, Cameroon People Democratic Movement (CPDM), explained that it was part of efforts by the government "to lighten a congested" electoral calendar. "Cameroon is expected to hold four major elections next year, namely presidential, parliamentary, municipal and regional council elections. This is a real heavy burden. That is why it was necessary to postpone the municipal and p...

 Ethiopia landslides death toll could rise to 500 – UN The death toll from landslides in Ethiopia earlier this week has risen to 257, and is expected to rise to 500, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Thursday. The first landslide, triggered by heavy rains in a remote region of Gofa zone, occurred on Monday and was followed by a second one that buried people who had gathered to help. At least 148 men and 81 women were killed after the disaster struck in the Kencho-Shacha locality in the Gofa Zone on Monday, the local Communications Affairs Department said in a statement. Five people were pulled alive from the mud and were receiving treatment at medical facilities, the government-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reported earlier. Gofa is part of the state known as the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), located about 320km (199 miles) southwest of the capital, Addis Ababa. The state has been battered by t...

 INEC absence didn’t invalidate LP convention – Abure The leadership of the Labour Party has defended the validity of its March 27, 2024 convention, saying that the absence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission at the event does not in any way invalidate the election that returned its National Chairman, Julius Abure and members of the National Working Committee to office. This was stated on Wednesday by the National Legal Adviser of the LP, Kehinde Edun, at the party’s secretariat in Abuja. Edun’s statement came three days after the electoral commission announced that none of its officials attended or monitored proceedings at the disputed convention held at Nnewi, Anambra State. In the past four months, Abure had been at loggerheads with the Nigeria Labour Congress over the legitimacy of his re-election. The party’s internal rift remained unresolved as the NLC and its stakeholders continued to distance themselves from the current NWC of the party. The situat...