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"Obasanjo is an irredeemable hypocrite and a liar" - Wole Soyinka

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has described former president, General Olusegun Obasanjo, as an irredeemable hypocrite and a liar who takes delight in denigrating people.

Soyinka, in his reply to the attack on him by Obasanjo in his latest controversial book, My Watch, pillories Obasanjo for invoking God all the time and wonders whether Obasanjo actually believes in such an entity, given his recourse to lying compulsively.

President Jonathan proposes Hall of Shame for Criminals

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday suggested the establishment of Hall of Shame where names of criminals and societal misfits could be sourced to serve as deterrent to those nursing the idea of criminality in the country.

Jonathan made the proposal while responding to the request of the Legends of Nollywood, led by its Chairman, Paul Obaziele, at the Presidential Villa.

Buhari gets N44.5million campaign funding

The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari (retired) says Nigerians have been contributing the sum of 100 Naira each for his presidential campaign for the 2015 general elections, insisting that he is not breaking any law as regards the funding.

General Buhari told a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday that he had adopted the approach by US President Barack Obama, when he asked his supporters to contribute towards his campaign.

$27billion missing from excess crude account - Adams Oshiomhole

Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo state, has alleged that “barely $3 billion is in the Excess Crude Account (ECA), which ordinarily should have “over $30 billion”.

Oshiomhole, who was speaking when the Association of Enigies from Edo South senatorial district, paid him a visit, said Nigeria has been losing 700, 000 barrels of oil everyday for the past 12 years to crude oil theft, describing the act is currently worse than it was during the era of the militancy in the Niger Delta.

Nigerian military to court-martial over 100 officers

The Nigerian military will soon court-martial over 100 army personnel, a senior military official has said.

The senior military official told Channels Television on Tuesday that the affected officers would be tried for various offences in relation to the counter-terrorism operation in the north-east.

ISIS in Nigeria to recruit fighters - Federal Govt

The federal government has warned that agents of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) are scouting in the country to recruit Nigerian youths as fighters for the terrorist group.

The Coordinator of the National Information Centre and Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, made this known in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, David Akoji.

Memo To The Next President of Nigeria - by Lekan Sote

Section 14(2)(b) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution says security and welfare are the primary purpose of government. Section 15(3)(a-d) of Chapter 2 of the Constitution, the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, specifically directs the State to provide facilities for free movement of people, goods and services; encourage inter-marriage; and promote associations across ethnicity, linguistic or religious barriers.

16(1)(a-d) requires the State to harness the nation’s resources to benefit Nigerians. Section 16(2)(a-d) directs the State to promote the economy; assure fair distribution of resources; ensure suitable and adequate shelter, food, minimum living wage, and pensions; and care for the old, the sick, and the disabled. Right now, the state of the Nigerian union (without prejudice) is in abject breach of these provisions. Life in Nigeria is Hobbesian “short, brutish, and nasty.”

Like Boko Haram, Like Failed Politicians - by Ademola Orunbon

When we begin to conceptualise that Boko Haram has done more damage to our nation as did the politicians may be under that realism, we will fuse the puzzle together and clearly understand that we are not fighting demonic extremists but along with that, we are battling with a colony of blood-stinking men who use anything at their disposal to cling unto power. So, if ever we win the battle with this unrepentant sect, the actual war might still elude us all.

Boko Haram has always been with us only that the sect was of a different name, form, agenda and influence. As did militancy that we suddenly realised in the 90s, it has always been a long awaited struggle for self-recognition of depriving a region its actual due. Not until the likes of Tompolo the “government”, Asari Dokubo took up arms against the government before we woke up to our deafening reality that you do not unjustly justify a wrong, you do not impoverish a people that provide about 80 per cent of your natural resources. It is clear that when you push a man so close to the wall without response, you are bound to eventually slug it out in a battle of resistance.

Nigeria’s economy is one of the largest in the world - President Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan said on Tuesday that his administration had managed the country’s economy to become the greatest in Africa and one of the largest in the world.

He said this in Port Harcourt at the inauguration of Enugu- Port Harcourt-Enugu intercity train service.

President Jonathan condones corruption - Prof Osinbajo

The Vice-Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that one of the fundamental problems bedeviling the nation is the failure of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government to tackle corruption.

Osinbajo stated this during a Twitter chat tagged #AskProfOsinbajo on Monday.

He said it was saddening that under Jonathan’s government, “there is no consequence for corruption.”

Governors Akpabio, Jang, Imoke, Suswam, others donate N1billion to PDP while owing State workers for months

As representatives of 21 Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] governors mounted the rostrum Saturday night at the presidential villa in Abuja to announce N1.05 billion in donation to the PDP, back in their respective states, school teachers and other state workers were enduring their second or third month of work without pay.

In some states, the indebtedness to workers stretched a year.

In Ebonyi, authorities owed teachers under the Universal Basic Education scheme nearly 12 months of salaries.

APC berates ​PDP ​over “semi-literate jackboot” comment against Buhari

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, as a Janus-faced bumbling party for engaging in a serial mudslinging against t​he ​APC and its leaders, especially in the aftermath of its hugely successful national convention in which Muhammadu Buhari was elected as the APC’s presidential candidate.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the same PDP that has been preaching issues-based electioneering campaign has done nothing but mudslinging against the person of ​Mr​. Buhari, his running mate​, ​Yemi Osinbajo, our leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu and indeed the entire APC.

PDP labels Buhari a “semi-literate jackboot”

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] has described a former Head of State and flag-bearer of the opposition All Progressives Congress [APC], Muhammadu Buhari, as a “semi-literate jackboot”.

Speaking at the national secretariat of the PDP, Monday, the national secretary of the party, Wale Oladipo, while receiving a delegation of PDP members from Diaspora, said the PDP has beaten Mr. Buhari three times in past elections and would do so again in 2015.

Nigeria to unveil new electricity tariff for business owners and manufacturers

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, said on Monday that a new tariff regime on gas supply to electricity producers in the country will to come into effect on Tuesday.

The Chairman of the Commission, Sam Amadi, said in Abuja that based on the new arrangement, manufacturers and other business owners in the country would henceforth be paying higher electricity prices.

Mutiny: Falana asks Army Chief to pardon convicted soldiers

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has asked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, not to confirm the conviction and sentence passed on the 54 soldiers last week by the General Court Marshal (GCM), saying that the verdict was characterised by miscarriage of justice.

Falana, in a comprehensive analysis of the case to Minimah argued based on the totality of the facts before him, it was clear that the GCM failed to evaluate evidence before it in accordance with settled principles of law.

7 dead, 19 injured in Bauchi market explosion

The Police in Bauchi State said seven persons died, while 25 others had sustained various injuries in the explosion that occurred at the Bauchi market on Monday.

The Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Haruna Mohammed, disclosed this in a telephone interview in Bauchi.

Backlash trails President Jonathan's N21.2billion election fund

Nigerians have expressed outrage over the N21.27 billion fund raised by President Goodluck Jonathan from friends at the weekend to prosecute his re-election bid in 2015.

In the midst of collapsed economy, high state of insecurity, poor power supply, rising unemployment and pervasive poverty, the president raised N21.27 billion at the weekend from cronies believed to be paying back in kind for the contracts and other benefits they enjoy from the presidency.

President Jonathan raises N21.2 billion for 2015 election

President Goodluck Jonathan, capitalising on his incumbency advantage has raised N21.27billion from businessmen, governors and multi-nationals to fund his second-term campaign.

The fund raising for the president took place Saturday at a dinner at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu shares Christmas rice and cash in Lagos

Thousands of Lagos residents converged on the Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island, on Saturday to receive Christmas gifts from the Bola Tinubu Foundation, a non-profit organisation owned by a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The gifts comprised bags of rice, salt, vegetable oil, T-shirts and cash.

The event was not without hitches as policemen and other security agents tried to push back the large crowd that turned up from every local government area in the state.

Stomach Infrastructure: Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose shares Christmas rice, chicken and cash

Ayodele Fasose, governor of Ekiti state who famously won his election last June by distributing “stomach infrastructure” to voters, has carried on with his policy into the Christmas season.

Between Thursday and Saturday, he had distributed over 80,000 birds and 100,000 bags of rice to Ekiti citizens, according to a statement from his press office.

Plateau Governor, Jonah Jang names son as Commissioner

The Plateau State Governor, Mr. Jonah Jang, has named his son, Yakubu, as the state Commissioner for Lands and Urban Planning.

Before this new development, Yakubu was his father’s Special Adviser on Special Duties.

Federal Government withdraws N310billion from Excess Crude Account in 6 months!

The Federal Government withdrew a total sum of N310.05bn from the Excess Crude Account within the first six months of this year, a document obtained from the Budget Office of the Federation showed.

The 2014 second quarter budget implementation report jointly signed by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Director-General, BOF, Dr Bright Okogu, stated that the amount was used to settle various obligations of the Federal Government due to its inability to meet its revenue targets.

Bomb blast hits Gombe motor park

Scores of people are feared killed after an explosion ripped through a crowded motor park in Gombe town, Gombe State, residents have said.

A journalist based in the state, Mallam Tildee, confirms the blast occurred at Dukku Motor Park early Monday.

Nigerian soldier sentenced to death for mutiny cries out

54 Nigerian soldiers were sentenced to death on Wednesday after they had refused to fight Boko Haram earlier in the year, and took up arms against their superiors.

The soldiers, who were found guilty of mutiny, were accused of refusing to help recapture three towns that had been seized by Boko Haram in August. They will face a firing squad but when that will happen is not certain.

New N100 note goes into circulation

The Central Bank of Nigeria said that the commemorative N100 banknote unveiled recently by the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is going into circulation from Friday.

This is contained in a statement signed by Ibrahim Mu’azu, Head, Corporate Communications, on Friday in Abuja.

CBN bars banks from holding funds in dollars to halt naira fall

The Central Bank of Nigeria has barred commercial banks from holding any part of their funds in United State dollars as it steps up efforts to reduce pressure on the naira.

The CBN, in a circulated dated December 17, 2014, ordered the banks to stop keeping one per cent of their shareholders’ funds in dollars as foreign exchange trading position at the close of each business day.

Fela’s former aide wants Obasanjo charged with genocide

A former associate and aide to late Afro beat musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of genocide, calling for his trial.

Uwa Erhabor, who worked with the late musician in the 1980s, made the demand Thursday while launching of his new book, “Kalakuta Diaries”.

He accused Mr. Obasanjo of ordering the killings in Zaki Biam, Benue State and in Odi, Bayelsa State.

Court upholds prisoners’ right to vote

A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City on Thursday ruled that inmates of the Nigerian prisons have the right to vote in all elections conducted in the country.

The court, presided by Justice Mohammed Lima, who gave the ruling in a suit instituted by Victor Emenuwe, Onome Inaye, Kabiru Abu, Osagie Iyekepolor, Modugu Odion (for and on behalf of inmates of Nigeria Prisons), against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Controller-General of Nigeria Prisons Service, also directed the defendants to ensure that the applicants are not disenfranchised.

Election Tribunal upholds Ekiti Governor, Ayo Fayose’s victory

The election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja on the Ekiti State governorship election has dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, against the election of Governor Ayodele Fayose.

The petition was dismissed on all grounds by the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mohammed Ibrahim-Siraju, on the grounds that the petitioner failed to substantiate the allegations with evidence.

Pastors laud Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s choice as Buhari’s running-mate

Christian clerics under the aegis of the Pastors Council of Northern Nigeria on Thursday in Kaduna applauded the choice of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as running mate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Majour-General. Muhammadu Buhari.

Osibanjo, a former Attorney-General of Lagos under former Governor Bola Tinubu, according to the clerics said possesses all leadership qualities and therefore, his choice, was a welcome one.

New constitution gives financial autonomy to State Houses of Assembly

The face of the new constitution being awaited by Nigerians finally unfolded Friday with the submission of the output of the state houses of assembly votes on amendments to the 1999 Constitution transmitted to them by the National Assembly on October 28.

Although details of the votes are still sketchy, Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, Samuel Ikon, said they secured the required two-thirds majority of the 36 state legislatures for the provision of financial autonomy for the houses of assembly.

Mass Failure: 70% of students fail Nov/Dec WAEC exam

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the November/December 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates with 72,522 (29.37 per cent) of the total number of candidates obtaining credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

Announcing the results in Lagos on Thursday, the Head of the Nigeria National Office (HNO) of the council, Mr. Charles Eguridu, said when compared with the November/December 2013 WASSCE (Private), there was a marked increase in candidates’ performance this year.

Nigeria’s oil workers suspend nationwide strike

Nigeria’s oil workers’ unions have suspended their nationwide strike earlier embarked on in protest of several unresolved issues with the government.

The decision to call-off the strike was arrived at on Friday in a close-door meeting in Abuja between representatives of the union and the Federal Government delegation. The meeting lasted almost 12 hours.

Real Madrid to offer Carlo Ancelotti a new contract

The Real Madrid president, Florentino Pérez, has admitted that although there were initial concerns about appointing Carlo Ancelotti as manager in the summer of 2013, the Italian has been so impressive that he will offer him a new contract at the end of the season.

“We’d be delighted to renew his contract when the season ends,” Pérez said on the Moroccan radio station, El Larguero. “What is strange is to anticipate a contract renewal so shortly after taking up a position. He’s aware of this and there won’t be any problems. There were initial question marks about getting him in, but I always wanted him.”

Wenger warns Alexis Sanchez over schedule

Arsene Wenger has warned Alexis Sanchez that he could suffer mentally and physically by his first Christmas in the Premier League.

Unlike the majority of their European counterparts, Premier League clubs continue to play over the course of the Christmas and New Year period with teams scheduled to play four matches in the space of ten days.

Arsenal's Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain could face Liverpool

Arsenal and England forward Theo Walcott could make his return from injury in time for Sunday's crucial clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

Manager Arsene Wenger revealed the 25-year-old, who has made just two appearances this season as a substitute before another spell on the sidelines, is back in training after a groin problem he suffered while on international duty with England.

Angel di Maria and Luke Shaw returns to Manchester United training

Angel di Maria could return to the Manchester United squad at Aston Villa after recovering from the slight hamstring tear that has kept him out of the last three games.

United’s record £59.7million signing has trained with the first team this week and is ready to add to Louis van Gaal’s attacking options as the Dutchman looks to extend his winning run to seven games.

Nigeria breaks world record - Largest Bottle Tree in the World

Nigeria broke the world record of the largest bottle tree in the world on Wednesday night in Lagos with eight thousand bottles, surpassing the‎ current world record of 1,000 beer bottles held by the Chinese city of Shanghai.‎

The record breaking bottle tree, which is situated along the Eko Atlantic stretch in Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the much anticipated Lagos Countdown 2014, is made of empty beer bottles.

2 robbers sentenced to death for stealing fowls in Osun

Justice Jide Falola of an Osun State High Court sitting in Okuku has sentenced two robbers to death for stealing fowls.

The convicts, Olowookere Segun and Morakinyo Sunday, were found guilty of forcefully breaking into the house of one Mr. Balogun Tope, a police officer attached to Divisional Police headquarters, Okuku, in April 2010 and carting away some of his belongings.

29-year-old man arraigned over possession of 589 voters cards in Lagos

Lukman Animashaun, a 29-year-old man, was arraigned in an Ikeja magistrates’ court in Lagos for being in possession of 589 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Animashaun, who resides at No. 12a Itire road, Lagos, was charged with disobedience to law and a breach of public peace.

Redeemed Christian Church of God disassociated itself from politics

The Redeemed Christian Church of God has disassociated itself from rumours making the rounds that its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, gave his blessings to the vice-presidential ambition of a former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The All Progressives Congress had on Wednesday named Osinbajo, who is said to be Adeboye’s close ally, as the running mate of its presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Obanikoro drags Lagos PDP to court

The former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has dragged his party; the Peoples Democratic Party (Lagos) to court over the recently conducted Lagos PDP governorship primary.

Obanikoro tagged the governorship primary where Jimi Agbaje emerged the party’s aspirant as a ‘A Sham’.

APC appoints Rivers Governor, Rotimi Amaechi as Presidential Campaign Director

The All progressives Congress, APC, has appointed the Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi, the Director General of its party’s presidential campaign.

APC has former head of State, Muhammadu Buhari as its flag bearer after he beat four other candidates at the party’s national convention in Lagos last week.

Falling Oil Price: Nigerian government announces new charges on private jets, yachts and champagnes

The Nigerian government has announced new charges on high end products including private jets, yachts and champagnes, in a move the government says will force the rich to pay more to help the country deal with falling oil price.

New private jets will henceforth attract a 10 percent import surcharge, and will generate an estimated N3.7 billion yearly, finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said Wednesday.

Mutiny: Convicted soldiers were sent on suicidal mission – Falana

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), on Thursday described as dubious, the judgment of a General Martial Court in Abuja which on Wednesday sentenced 54 soldiers to death for conspiracy to commit mutiny and mutiny.

Falana said in a statement that the soldiers should never have been convicted for mutiny for refusing to embark on a mission to fight the well armed Boko Haram sect without being provided with the necessary motivation and weapons.

Boko Haram kidnap 185 women and children in Borno state

Suspected Boko Haram militants have killed dozens and kidnapped about 185 people in Gumsere, a community near Chibok, Borno State, survivors of the attack have said.

At least 30 people were killed, they said.

The attack came more than eight months after Boko Haram abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok itself.

Federal Govt boasts of collapsing Boko Haram’s networks

The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is definitely collapsing the Boko Haram insurgent’s networks, bridging insecurity and also having its eyes on fifth columnist in the country.

It also guaranteed that elections will be conducted in all parts of the country including the North East as it has already liberated a large portion of the area.

Nigerian Army sentences 54 soldiers to death for mutiny

The Nigerian Army has sentenced 54 soldiers standing trial before a general court martial to death by firing squad and acquitted and discharged five others.

The soldiers were accused of mutiny, assault, cowardice and refusing to fight members of Boko Haram in the north eastern part of the country.