Touching message from Tiwa Savage that says it all

Herdsmen attack, an attempt to Islamise Nigeria says Biafran group

The spokesman for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has claimed that the attack by the herdsmen at Enugu State, alleged by some to be Fulanis, is a calculated attempt by the Hausa-Fulanis to Islamise Nigeria, especially the Ibos, which he calls Biafrans. Mr Emma Power said that Uthman Dan Fodio had tried in the past but did not succeed and it was tried again Hassan Kastina et al in 1967. He also accused the Governors from the South East zone of betraying the Ibos, not living upto their responsibilities and allowing the Fulani herdsmen to go on rampage in the South East.

Mr Power also alleged that the latest attack by the herdsmen in Enugu confirms the prophecies of Mr Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB. He however cautioned that the Ibos will not succumb to the plot to Islamise them.

Nigerians are tired of lies says PDP

PDP, through twitter, says "Nigerians are tired of the 1 year old lies of APC government, Lai Mohd propaganda and blame game by president Buhari"

Governor Al-Makura of Nasarawa did the unexpected, rescues 5 accident victims

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Gov. Al-Makura, on Friday did something unexpected of political office holders, who normally have their convoy clear the way for them to travel at top speed.

The governor met five persons in a pool of their own blood, supposedly accident victims, while he was on a trip from Abuja to Lafia, Nasarawa State. He met them after few Kilometers after Gudi, where he said his Friday prayers. He ordered one of the vehicles in his convoy to convey the victims to the Akwanga General Hospital for treatment, assigning one of his aides to follow up the case and ensure the victims are properly taken care of medically, promising to foot the bills.

This is a worthy example for other public office holders.

Poland to host musicals for superstar Pope John Paul II

A musical show is being planned to be hosted in February 2017, at the large Tauron Arena, in the city of Krakow, Poland where late Pope John Paul II was born to celebrate the life and times of the late pope.

Pope John Paul II whose name is Karol Wojtyla lived in Krakow for almost 40 years . He became the archibishop of the city after training as a priest during the Nazi years. Therefore, the organisers are trying to create something big to tell his whole life story from his infancy to his death, according to the shows writer Michal Kaczmarczyk.. Teeming up with hitmsker, Filip Siejka, they intend to revisit the late Pope John Paul II's life in musical form, from his boyhood to the top of the Roman Catholic Church. Polish pop diva Edyta Geppert is expected to sing several of her song and fifteen actors will play main roles.

It is worthy to note that Pope John Paul II is the first non-Italian pope in about four centuries and was canonised a saint in April 2014.

Promoters said 500 hundred tickets have already been sold.

Kano man to die by hanging for killing friend over football

A Kano High Court presided over by Justice Faruk Lawan has sentenced a Kano man, Kabiru Sani of Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state, to death by hanging for stabbing his friend to death during an argument over football in 2011.

Justice Lawan said Mr Sani's act contravened section 221 (2) of the Penal Code and that he was guilty as charged.

Source: Premium Times

UN Secretary-General appoints Nigerian to lead UN investigation in South Sudan

Nigerian Abiodun Bashau has been appointed by UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon to lead the UN investigation into the attack against the UN mission in South Sudan.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in New York. The attack on the UN mission protecting civilians in Malakal left 25 civilians dead and 144 injured. The investigation will examine the circumstances that led to the attack from Feb 17. to Feb 18.

The Oba of Benin passes on

The Oba of Benin, Omo n'Oba Erediauwa Akpolokpolo 1, is dead. He died today, Friday after battling with illness which is reported to have started last year. His death was announced by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, in line with the Benin tradition.

May his soul rest in peace.

Colombia legalizes gay marriage like the Netherlands

Colombia is the latest country to legalize gay marriage which was first done by the Netherlands in 2000.

South Africa is the only African country on this list.

In Nigeria, it is illegal to be in a gay union and it is a 14 year jail offence if convicted.

Meet the surgeon to perform human head to head transplant

Italian Surgeon, Dr Sergio Canavero wants to perform the world first human head to head transplant. This could be possible as early as 2017. Its cost will be huge and funding is still being sourced for.

Russian Valery Spiridonov, 30, who is disabled from birth due to genetic muscle wasting disorder, known as Werding-Hofman disease has volunteered to be his patient. The body of a brain dead person would be used to replace his body from neck down.

If this surgery goes successful, it will be a huge plus and milestone in medical practice.

There still exist ethical questions though.

See Queen Elizabeth of England's visit to the Oba of Benin in 1956

Throwback photo of Queen Elizabeth of England in a handshake with the Oba of Benin, with Chief Obafemi Awolowo looking, during the Queen's visit to the Oba in 1956 while visiting Nigeria.

Driverless-car out soon

Volvo have got the go ahead to test drive a driverless car in the UK on normal UK road with humans inside.

Technology at its best. Unimaginable, being driven in a car without a driver. But, it is coming soon. Watch out.

President Buhari meets with Gov. Ugwuanyi of Enugu State

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State was at the Presidential Villa yesterday evening to brief President Buhari about the attack on Ukpabi Nimbo community in Enugu State by herdsmen. The violent attack left scores of people dead.

See then Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo around 1970

Throw back photo of then Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo, celebrating the surrender of Biafra at Uli Airstrip around January 1970. He later became Nigerian military head of state between 1976 and 1979, then democratically elected president between 1999 and 2007. Lucky man.

Hilary Clinton would be nothing if she were a man says Trump

US presidential aspirant on the Republican Party platform, Donald Trump has said that Mrs Hilary Clinton would have been nothing if she were to be a man. He said" frankly, if Hilary Clinton were a man, I don't think she would get 5 percent of the vote. The only thing she's got going is the woman's card". He told  Chris Cuomo of CNN that Hilary Clinton is "playing the woman card left and right. She did not play play it last time with Obama, but she is playing it much harder this time. I think if she were a man and she was the way she is, she would get virtually no votes"

What's our opinion here?

Is Hilary Clinton going this far because she is a woman?

Ex-beauty queen and fashion designer to celebrate womanhood (Iria) in Bonny Island

This is a celebration of African culture by an African queen who is proud of her Ibani culture.

6ft tall Maureen Dandison Jumbo will be celebrating her Iria/Bibite (womanhood) ceremony at the Ikuba Square, Bonny Island in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Time is 8:00am.

Iria/Bibite ceremony is the celebration of attainment of womanhood, a celebration of feminisim. In summary, a lady celebrating Iria goes into fatten room for about a month, where she is made to eat well, taught to dance well and look beautiful (only through women). Men are forbidden to enter a fatten room for whatever reason. On the Iria day, the lady ties different wrappers at intervals to dance. It is a big ceremony in Ibani culture.

The importance of performing an Iria ceremony is that it ushers a lady into womanhood and allows her to enjoy the rights and privileges of real women. Performing an Iria enables a woman to tie two wrappers (george wrapper) up and down in Bonny Kingdom, any Ibani town or at an Ibani event. A woman who has not done the Iria ceremony and goes on to tie two wrapper will have one (the upper) wrapper removed from her waist .

It's is a celebration of the best of African culture. A celebration of the Nubian queen. Our pride, our heritage.

See President Putin of Russia doing his thing

Not many presidents or prime ministers or premiers or heads of government will be this free in this amongst their people. But, here, we present a real leader in the real sense of it and a pride to Russia doing his thing himself without aides or security.

The Rock and Pamela Anderson in Baywatch

See our 'photos of the week'

Barack and Michelle Obama visits Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince Williams and wife) and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace during Obama's  visit to the UK last week.

President Buhari task African leaders on social justice

President Buhari has tasked African leaders to measure social justice for all their citizens in order to ensure peace and political stability in their countries. He made this call while recieving the Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Agapito MBA Mokay on Monday 25th April.

Hmmmm. We ask if Nigeria is not part of Africa? Why is there no social justice? Or, do we have social justice in Nigeria?

World bank taking register of poor in Nigeria?

President Buhari media aide, Mr. Garba Shehu did post a series of messages on the social media, informing the public what the presidency is doing. This part caught our attention, N5000 for the unemployed.

Mr Garba tweeted that "the World Bank has begun conducting a Social Register on poor & vulnerable people in Nigeria, by going to the 4 poorest LGA..."

"... And the. The 4 poorest communities in those poorest local govt areas."

"About 7-8 states have been completed already"

"Now the Presidency is working with the World Bank and Bill Gates Foundation on hw to identify the  people to be paid N5000"

Now for us, identifying the people to be paid N5000 is the real deal...... The government should look out for ghost names and those who will open workchop from this process.

Anthony Joshua to defend IBF world heavyweight title in June

Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua is to defend his IBF world heavyweight title on 25th June, at the 02 Arena, London. His challenger is Dominic Breazeale, an American who is undefeated with a record of 17-0 with 15 knockouts.

Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua, a Nigerian British, won the IBF world heavyweight title in early April after defeating Charles Martin.

See the Obama girls all grown and ready to leave the House

When Malia and Sasha Obama moved into the White House, they were little and excited. But that feeling of exitement is gone as they can't wait to leave the museum called White House to live a normal life in a normal house. Luckily for the older girl, Malia, she is 16 and leaves for collage in September.

Away from all the seriousness. Nice to catch up on the life of the little girls who are part of the first black family and occupants of the White House. See more photos after the cut...

Congolese musician, Papa Wemba slumps and dies

Legendary Congolese musician, Papa Wemba is dead. He died after being rushed to the hospital early morning today (Sunday) as a result of him collapsing on stage while performing at Anoumabo Urban Music Festival in Abidjan , Ivory Coast.

Papa Wemba, whose real name was Jules Kikumba was aged 67. He was said to have slumped while singing his third song after being called on stage by 5.10 am local time.

He was known as King of Rhumba Rock and was vital to the development of Congolese music. He discovered great musicians like Kofi Olomide.

His demise is a great loss to African music.

May his soul rest in peace.

Black woman to grace the front of US $20 bill

The picture of African American slave abolitionist in the 19th century, Harriet Tubman is to be put on the front of US $20 bill, replacing that of Andrew Jackson. Some argue that she is the first and only woman to be so honoured.

The brave Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery (from a slave master who became president) as a young woman.

IMF boss says Brexit negatovely impacts on UK economy

Ahead of European Union referendum in the United Kingdom, the International Monetary Fund boss, Christine Lagarde has said that Brevity is and will affect the UK economy for a couple of reasons, among which is that companies that would have used the UK as their European headquarters will move their headquarters to another European country.

For those of us who have stakes in the UK, these reasons make sense and should be considered when voting for or against European Union membership.

President Buhari says naira devaluation against thw common man

The Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari has said that he is yet to be convinced that devaluing the naira is to the interest of the common man. He said that he still hold the same conviction which motivated his resistance to devalue the naira when he was military head of state in 1983 for the good of Nigeria against the wish of IMF and World Bank. This assertion he made while receiving the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries, whose pioneer chairman is Philip Asiodu, at the State House, Abuja on Friday, 22nd February 2016.

Beyonce just release her new album

US pop and R&B singer, Beyonce, has just released a new album titled 'Lemonade on Tidal' It is her first album since 2013.

Gov. Wike directs CTC Chairmen of LGAs to handover, promised to complete all projetcs.

Gov. Nyesom Wike

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has directed the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of local government are and in the state to hand over to the heads of the LGAs. This directive supersedes earlier directive from the governor.

Wike also promised that he will not abandon any project in his tenure and will also complete relevant projects abandoned  by the past administration. He said he has mapped out strategies to apply funds to completion of projects. This remarks he made while inspecting some road projects in Obio Akpor, Ikwerri and Etche LGAs.

We commend the governor.

See how London Mayor attacked President Obama, calling him 'half Kenyan'

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has described President Obama as being incoherent, inconsistent and downright hypocritical over Obama's editorial views urging the United Kingdom to stay in the European Union.

Mr. Johnson explained that it is hypocritical of the president to suggest to the United Kingdom to be be part of the European Union when the United States will not subjugate itself to any union or international body.

The mayor accuses Obama of opposing the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union because Obama is part Kenyan. He said Obama is part Kenyan and has ancestral dislike of the British Empire.

For the crew of The New Informer, Boris Johnson take on Obama's Kenyan origin is worrisome. Can some one who occupies the Office of the Mayor of London think that Kenyans dislike her majesty's kingdom? That is racial and condemnable. It is worthy to note that Boris Johnson was born in New York (he is American) and is part Turkish because his great grand father is from Turkey. On the other hand, Kenyans and other Africans vhave contributed in no small measure to what the United Kingdom is today.

See what Virgin Air owner, Richard Branson does and says of his family

Richard Branson and his son, Sam

"My family mean absolutely everything to me. Without them, I would not have had the love and support to accomplish many of my greatest achievements, or been able to pull through when things didn't go to plan and times were tough" Richard Branson.

Branson was speaking to the Huffington Post, in reference to the chat he had with his son Sam, for the Huffington Post's Talk to Me Campaign - a series of authentic conversation between parents and children. He said that his family has been with him every step of the way, the good, the bad and the ugly and that every decision he has made has been to give his family the best life possible.

This ideally should be a motivation for every man to work hard and leave legacies for their kids.

Sam (Richard Branson's son) is a member of Virgin group and is also a film maker. He is also a husband and father.

See some more throwback family photos after the cut.....

Music icon and 'activist' Prince cremated

                                 
Music icon and activist (a member of Black Lives Matter) was cremated on Saturday 23rd April 2016, and his final resting place will not be revealed while the cause of his death is still unknown.

His simple funeral which is in stark contrast to his rival Michael Jackson, is in adherence to his Jehova Witness faith and upbringing which suggests that he has to be buried within a week, which Prince does insist on while alive. He is said to have instructed that he wants no fuss and drama during his funeral if he dies.

Prince Rogers Nelson, 57, died on Thursday. His family and friends honoured him at a private ceremony at his Paisley Park home and Studio Complex in Chanhassen,Minnesota. Among those present was his sister, Tyka Nelson.

Tyka Nelson, 55, being the closest surviving relative, stands to inherit over USD450 million fortune if Prince left no will, according to Minnesota State laws.

May his soul rest in peace.

See Italian PM's view on Donald Trump

Italian prime minister, Matteo Remzi says he hopes the next president of the US would be a woman. Remzi, aged 39, who is the youngest Italian Prime minister ever, said Donald Trump invest in the message of fear. On Obama, he said Europeans view Obama's presidency as being great.

Our question is why are the Europeans afraid of Donald Trump emerging as the next US president? Why is the world bothered about Trump? Americans should be left to decide and Trump might be one of the greatest and best if elected. 

Emergency millionaires to account for the source of their wealth

Henceforth, serving and former public office holders will be made to account for the their wealth. The Vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo stated this at the Airpot Hotel in Lagos on Saturday 23rd April 2016, at a Town Hall meeting convened by United Action for Change(UAC).

Osinbajo said that anyone who can't explain the source of his/her wealth must be brought to account and that the Buhari government 's dream is to have a "country where integrity is our national culture".

This policy statement is commendable by us. We hope that the government will carry through this promise of change in our national character. This may help reduce the crime, often violent crime committed against persons by criminals trying to rob them. This, we are sure will also see a reduction in kidnapping and other crimes associated with quick money.

This accountability policy for emergency millionaires should not target only past and present public office holders, it should also target private citizens with no visible means of income. No freebies and no free lunch.

Read Senator Saraki's reason for his being persecuted

Refusal to back a Muslim-Muslim ticket on the platform of the APC for the 2015 presidential election is the reason for his persecution, so says Senator Bukola Saraki.

Senate President Saraki who is currently on trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on allegation of false declaration of asset when he was governor of Kwara State said his refusal to support some people's ambition to be President Muhammadu Buhari's running mate was the chief reason why he is standing trial before the CCT, and not just his senate presidency ambition. Replying to an open letter addressed to him by Mr Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, Saraki said that some people felt that since he deprived them of their ambition, they were also going to stop him from achieving his own ambition. He said his reason for not supporting a Muslim-Muslim ticket was because Nigeria has gone beyond 1993 and people are more sensitive to issues of religious balancing, and was not sure the APC would have won after the PDP had successfully framed APC a Muslim party.