Renowned poet and author Maya Angelou dies at 86

One of America's most famous and inspiring poets and writers, Maya Angelou, has died. She died last night with her family by her side in a Winston-Salem, North Carolina hospital while recovering from an illness.

The famed author was to be honored this Friday with the Beacon of Life Award at Major League Baseball's Civil Rights Game when she fell ill and had to cancel.

Angelou has received more than 30 honorary degrees from universities around the world. She published 7 autobiographies, 3 books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than 50 years.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou famously wrote
May her soul rest in peace. Amen.

National Conference delegates vote to tax churches, mosques

Delegates at the ongoing National Conference yesterday May 27th voted unanimously for churches & mosques to pay taxes. The delegates arrived at the decision after deliberating on recommendations made by the Committee on Religion.

A delegate representing Civil Organizations, Mallam Naseer Kura, during the deliberation observed that most religious leaders in Nigeria are now making a lot of money from their organizations and so should be taxed accordingly.

Supporting his arguement, Isaac Ighure a delegate representing the Nigeria Guild of Editors, in his submission said most religious leaders had so much money now to buy jets while their followers are living in abject poverty and asked that they should be made to pay taxes. "Some people buy private jets when people in their churches are suffering and living in abject poverty, they should be made to pay taxes,” he said.

The recommendations to pay tax will be submitted to the National Assembly at the end of the conference and if accepted by the National Assembly, it would then be passed into law. Who agrees that religious organizations should pay tax?

National Conference Chairman's wife, Mariam Kutigi dies

Wife of Justice Idris  Kutigi the Chairman of the ongoing National Conference, Mariam, has passed on. She died in the early hours of this morning at the National Hospital Abuja. Her demise was announced this morning at the Conference. The conference session has been adjourned till Monday June 2nd. May her soul rest in peace.

"Starting Oceanic Bank was my late mum's idea"- Elvina Ibru reveals

Elvina Ibru, one of the daughters of billionaire businessman Olorogun Michael Ibru, has revealed that starting the now defunct Oceanic Bank was her late mum's idea. Mrs Elsie Ibru was the first female bank manager in Nigeria who worked with the defunct African Continental Bank (ACB) and with her experience in the banking sector adviced her husband to start up a bank. She said her father took the advice but unfortunately, her mum passed away when the bank was about to be opened.
"My mother was a banker back in the 60s. She worked for the defunct African Continental Bank (ACB). She was the first female bank manager in Nigeria and then my father is a man of foresight, he foresaw everything and arranged the company. The idea of setting up a bank was by my mother who advised my father to start one. That's how Oceanic Bank came up and unfortunately when the bank was to open she passed on. My mother was brilliant, my father is brilliant. I guess I picked up the interest in entertainment from them. The unity of two brains exploded to become what is today known as the Ibru organization" she said
Late Mrs Elsie Ibru died on February 3rd 1990 while Oceanic Bank was incorporated in March 1990 and began operation in July1990.

'I can't deliver your letter to Boko Haram leader' - First Lady tells kids

Some Nigerian children who paid a courtesy visit to First Lady Patience Jonathan today in Abuja to mark the Children's Day celebration seized the opportunity to hand her letters they wrote to Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau protesting the abduction of the Chibok girls and asked the First Lady to pass the letter to him.
Mama Peace received the letter but immediately told the children that she doesn't know who Shekau is but would give their letters to the Chief of Defence Staff who would help deliver it accordingly..
"Let me thank the children that gave me letter to give Boko Haram. Well, I have received your letter, but I’m not the one to give it to Boko Haram because I don’t know Boko Haram and I have never seen Boko Haram. But I will give it to NSA or Chief of Defence Staff who will submit your letter accordingly. To my children parliament, thank you for your letter. Thank you for your deliberation. I have received what you gave to me. I will make sure I pass it to the president because it is addressed to him and the other one is addressed to Boko Haram. That is why the two are different.” she said
Mama Peace advised the children and Nigerians in general to desist from speaking evil or reigning abuses on the President, saying he is the head of the country as God has made him so. She drew her advice from the bible
"It is bad to abuse our country and the president because God has made him the head. The almighty God commands us to pray for our leaders. We therefore need to pray for the development of our country and the president.
Remember that a child that abuses his father and mother is disobeying God’s commandment because the bible says in Exodus 20:12 that you should honour your father and mother so that you may live long in the land that the Lord your God has given you. The holy Bible is not referring to only biological parents. Any one that is older than you even for a day must be respected. Let us therefore join hands and rebuild our country Nigeria” she advised

Emir of Gombe, Alh (Dr) Shehu Abubakar passes on

The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji (Dr.) Usman Shehu Abubakar, has passed on. He died this evening, May 27th after a long battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London.
The Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Abubakar Bage confirmed his passing in a press statement released this evening. Family sources say his body will be flown back to Nigeria tomorrow, May 28th to be buried according to Islamic rights.

The Late Emir before his demise was the chairman of the Gombe State Council of Traditional Rulers and had been on the throne since January 1984. May his soul rest in peace... Amen.

The only Nigerian journalist with access to Boko Haram flown home to negotiate with group

Nigerian journalist, Ahmad Salkida, who previously worked for Daily Trust and Premium Times and reported extensively on Boko Haram, fled Nigeria to Dubai 2 years ago after being accused of being a Boko Haram sympathizer. He said he fled after 'his life and that of his family became endangered' after security agencies began to mistake his in-depth reporting on the terrorist group as evidence of his closeness to them. He went underground for several weeks before finally fleeing Nigeria. Salkida was perhaps the only Nigerian journalist/civilian to have access to Boko Haram, and he said at the time that he'd turned down Boko Haram's many requests for him to publish exclusive interviews and materials for them.

Anyway according to new reports, the Nigerian government flew him back home a few weeks ago to negotiate with Boko Haram on their behalf, since he's the only civilian who has allegedly seen Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and come out alive. He reportedly came back home after the Nigerian government assured him that he will not be arrested. (See his tweets). Continue...



From UK Daily Mail
One hundred non-combatant, low-level sympathisers were to be freed and the two groups brought together in a convoy of buses accompanied by a hand-picked go-between, respected Nigerian journalist Ahmad Salkida.
The plan had been agreed in tortuous negotiations in response to worldwide outrage over a night-time raid on a school in the town of Chibok on April 14 when the girls were abducted from their dormitories.
Mr Salkida was born in Borno State, where Boko Haram originated. He has known its leaders all his life and has unprecedented access.
He has been arrested on several occasions accused of being a Boko Haram sympathiser, and he fled with his family to Dubai two years ago.
But two weeks ago, he was summoned out of exile by President Jonathan’s aides. He initially feared he might face arrest, but was then given a letter of indemnity signed by the President when he flew to Nigeria.
Sources said Mr Salkida was able to travel by taxi to the group’s forest camp to talk to Shekau two weeks ago. ‘His mission was secretive and dangerous,’ they said.
He is probably the only civilian with access to Shekau. There is trust between them and Salkida had only one aim – to get the schoolgirls out.
He reported afterwards that the group of girls he saw were alive and well, and being adequately fed and sheltered. They told him all they wanted was to go home.
Salkida’s mission was complicated by the chaos surrounding government’s pronouncements about negotiations with the terrorist group.
Shekau has released two shocking videos showing the girls dressed in hijabs and reciting verses from the Koran.

We know where Chibok girls are, but we won't use force to rescue them - Military

Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff Air Marshall Alex Badeh today said that the Nigeria military has been able to locate the 200+ girls abducted in Chibok on April 14th but will not use force to rescue them because that could put the girls in great danger as the insurgents could kill them.
He revealed this today while addressing a group of protesters, the Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness, outside the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. He said the military knows what they are doing and should be allowed to continue their work
"We want our girls back. The military can do it, but where they are held, can we go with force? The good news for the girls is that we know where they are but we can't tell you. Just leave us alone. We are working. We will bring the girls back" He said

I’m Not Bleaching…Cameras & Filters Make It Look So- Yvonne Nelson

Yvonne Nelson in a new interview has said she is tired of explaining to people that she isn’t bleaching her skin, but cameras, lightening and filters make her look lighter in pictures. She said a lot of people criticize her when she posts new pictures but they are all the work of the camera and she isn’t bleaching. You guys can compare all the pictures and let us know if you believe her or not.

Photo: Mother Burns 11-Year Old Son’s Face In Ghana For Stealing

An 11-year-old boy at New Takoradi Lower Town has had his face and parts of the body burnt with an electric iron allegedly by his own biological mother, for purportedly stealing GH¢5.00 belonging to the little boy’s friend.

Daily Guide leant that the boy is currently receiving treatment at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi, Western Region, for the multiple burns he sustained.

This paper gathered that the 28-year-old mother is in the grips of the Takoradi police while investigations into the incident continue.

Speaking to journalists, Emmanuel Edwin Adogo, Assemblyman for Lower New Takoradi, disclosed that the little boy, Bernard Asafua, confessed to stealing the money belonging to his classmate after initially denying committing the offence.

Mr. Adogo explained that the boy’s initial denial angered his mother who allegedly injured the boy with a hot iron after subjecting him to severe beatings.

According to sources, the grandmother of the boy rushed to his rescue when she heard him screaming while he was being beaten and also the pains he was feeling from the burns.

The boy was quickly rushed to the New Takoradi Health Centre for first aid, but was later transferred to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital due to the severity of the burns.

Obasanjo Holds Meeting To Free Abducted School Girls

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo according to AFP held a meeting last weekend in his Ogun State farm with relatives of some senior Boko Haram fighters as well as intermediaries on how to free the over 200 missing school girls by negotiating with Boko Haram.

Ondo State Elects First Ever Female Speaker

The members of Ondo State House of Assembly have elected their first ever female speaker, Ms Jumoke Akindele. She emerged the first female Speaker of the state this morning when she defeated her two other counterparts who are men in an open vote.

It will be recalled that the former speaker died February this year. Big congrats to her

Sudanese Woman Sentenced To Death For Marrying Christian Gives Birth In Prison

Meriam, 27, a doctor, who was sentenced to death by hanging earlier this month after being found guilty of converting from Islam to Christianity and marrying a Christian man, Daniel Wani, gave birth to a baby girl in prison today.

She will receive 100 lashes before she is executed - sometime in the next two years, but Meriam has vowed to keep to her faith than convert back to Islam.

German Tabloid Publishes Naked Butt Of Kate Middleton

A German tabloid has published a picture of the Duchess of Cambridge’s skirt blowing up to reveal her bare bum. The shot of Kate, which was taken during the recent royal tour of New Zealand and Australia when she accompanied William on a walkabout in the Blue Mountains, shows the skirt of her wrap dress blowing up to reveal her bum.

This latest breach of privacy comes just under two years after the Duke and Duchess launched legal action against French magazine, Closer, which printed topless photographs of Kate on holiday. See the uncensored picture below. Nice bum!

Being A Single Mom Is Sweet, Not That I’m Encouraging Other Women- Waje

Waje in a new interview with NETng has said being a single mom is sweet. She says though some people think she is trying to encourage younger ones, but she is only stating a fact, her own personal experience. She also spoke about finding a companion one day.

You have always said you are single, why is that?

I don`t know why, but I just feel God has a way of doing things. I have so much on my hands now, let that matter rest now, let me not go and marry now before my husband will say he wants pounded yam, cooked by his wife, not by a maid. Then I will leave everything I am doing and I will be pounding yam. But when somebody who understand my kind of person and my job comes along, then it will be easier for me. After all the troubles of the day, the traffic, somebody getting you angry, there should be that one person who can calm you. Everybody would love to have somebody as a companion, so do I.


How is life as a single mother?

It is beautiful, something a lot of people won`t understand when I say it. They think I’m encouraging people to do it. It is beautiful, there are so many things that kid has done for me. I appreciate everything that God has given me.

I’m At the Stage I Should Choose Films I Appear In- Bimbo Akintola

Bimbo Akintola hardly features in movies these days and there have been a lot of speculations about this. Speaking recently on Channels TV, Bimbo cleared the airwaves and said at this stage of her life, she should be able to choose the films she wants to feature in, and not just accepting any offer that comes her way. I want to be remembered for my movies she said.

‘I believe that at this point in my life, I should be doing films that talk about what I believe in and the things that matter to me. You know at the beginning, we do all movies that comes our way but after a while, you need to settle and ask yourself what you want to be remembered for’ she said.

Fans Blast Tonto Dikeh After Posting Nude Photo Online

A lot of people  didn’t see this photo because Tonto posted it late last night. She posted it with the caption, ‘GudNite loverz and #Dream of Mii...’ but fans who were online took it the other way round and said she craved the attention Maheeda has been enjoying from people.

One of them wrote;

‘I guess Tonto is jealous of the attention and publicity Maheeda is enjoying. She’s now a Maheeda wannabe’...

Another one wrote; ‘Yu sha wanna b rihanna by force’

Toyin Lawani’s Boo Grabs Her Ass In New Photo

Ini Edo Ventures Into Pastry Business

NDLEA arrests man with 2.6kg of cocaine packed as candies

52 year old Imo state born Onyejiaju Augustine was arrested yesterday by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for being in possession of 2.605 kilogrammes of cocaine packed as candies. He was arrested at the  Muritala Mohammed International Airport as he was about to smuggle the illegal drug out of the country en-route Etihad, Punch reports.

NDLEA spokesman Michelle Ofoyeju said Onyebuchi had been on the wanted list of the agency
"Augustine, who is a specialist in drug had earlier departed Sao Paulo, Brazil, with the illicit drug disguised as candies. He was, however, caught at the MMIA in Lagos.”
Augustine when arrested said he was a supermarket operator in Brazil
"I own a supermarket in Brazil where I have lived since 2006. I bought the cocaine and concealed it as candies. It was unfortunate that the trick was discovered." he said
NDLEA said the man will be charged to court soon.

Niger state cancels Children' Day and Democracy Day celebrations

The Niger state government today May 22 cancelled the forthcoming Children's Day and Democracy Day celebrations in the state. According to the state's Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Ndayebo, the celebration was cancelled because of the missing Chibok girls and the security situation in the country.

Briefing newsmen in his office, Alhaji Danladi Ndayebo said the Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Bababngida directed that both days be used to pray for the girls as well as the nation
"Owing to the security situation in the country, Gov. Babangida Aliyu has directed that this year’s Children’s Day and Democracy Day be used to seek God’s face and intervention for the nation. The Ministry for Gender Affairs and Social Development will mobilise children on that day across the state to pray for the release of the girls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State.” he said

Military takes over power in Thailand

Thailand military today Thursday May 22nd announced it has taken over government in Thailand, saying it was “necessary to seize power.” following the six months of political deadlock the country has faced. In a nationwide broadcast this morning, Head of Thai Army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, made the announcement flanked by senior military officers.
"It is necessary for the Peace and Order Maintaining Command – which includes army, navy, armed forces and police – to take control of governing the country," he said
Thailand has been under political unrest after its citizens took to the streets in Nov. 2013 demanding that their Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, step down after being accused of being a proxy for her popular billionaire brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was forced out of office in 2006 after a military coup & now lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail sentence on corruption charges.

Nigerian Army Begins recruitment of Volunteer Army Personnel

The Nigerian army has announced the recruitment of volunteer soldiers that will serve in the search for the missing Chibok girls as well as help in the fight against Boko Haram insurgence. In a press briefing today, the Director of Public Affairs said the recruitment exercise will end on June 21st and is open to only able bodied persons. 

Gbenga Daniel Dumps PDP For Labour Party

Former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel has dumped PDP for Labour Party. Daniel made it known today while addressing Labour party loyalists at the commissioning of its headquarters at Onikolobo, Abeokuta in Ogun State.

He was accompanied by the National Chairman of Labour Party, Dan Nwanyanwu, present Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, and other national officers of the party.


Daniel said his new party is the party to be and is set to rule Ogun come 2015.

PICS: AWUJALE’S GRAND 80TH BIRTHDAY

Another Nyanya bus station bomber arrested

Another Nyanya bomber has been arrested. Abubakar Sadiq Ogwuche (pictured above) was arrested today in Sudan where he was hiding after the Federal government placed a N25m reward on his head. He was arrested by Interpol with help from DSS and will be extradited to Nigeria to face charges of terror. This makes it a total of six suspects so far arrested. DSS on Monday paraded five suspects.

Ogwuche is said to be a student of Arabic Language at the International University of Africa, Sudan. He is British born and is the son of retired Col. Agene Ogwuche. He served in the Intelligence Unit of the Nigerian Army at Child Avenue, Arakan Barracks, Lagos, between 2001 and 2006 and was arrested in 2011 for being involved in terror activities but was released on bail to his father.