Wizkid's camp reacts on second baby saga

Wizkid camp got across to OluFamous.Com on Monday evening about stories making the rounds online that the pop star had 'scored a second goal' and welcome a baby boy with this beautiful lady.

I stated in my report earlier that nothing has been heard from Tania Omotayo, Wizzy's girl. Anyway, the info I got from Wizkid's camp indicated why we haven't heard from her. Read their statement:

News getting to us is that Tania broke up with Wiz a while ago but both parties agreed to be friendly towards each other.

Nonetheless, she kept her distance from him and missed a lot of his events and performances over the Christmas holidays. 

She went on vacation with her friends in Dubai during his industry night event. Wizkid was probably trying to win her back when he tweeted "T baby forever" sometime ago, perhaps he was trying to work things out.

Wiz still hasn't confirmed any news about him having another child...We know he's single and he'll be releasing his EP next month.

Corruption: How Dariye diverted Plateau ecological funds – Witness

A report shown that for about nine years after he was arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, trial eventually opened on Monday in the money laundering case involving former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye.

The prosecution called its first witness, who told the court how Dariye allegedly diverted the state’s N1.126billion Ecological Funds.
Dariye is being tried before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the FCT High Court.

The witness, Musa Sunday (a detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), who was led in evidence by lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said he was involved in the investigation into how Dariye allegedly diverted the funds while serving as governor, according to The Nation.

He told the court how Dariye allegedly applied for the ecological fund in the name of his state in 2001, but collected the money in person and diverted it.

Sunday said, upon receiving the cheque for the ecological fund, the ex-governor allegedly lodged the fund with his private banker, the Abuja Branch manager of All States Trust Bank Plc (now defunct), with instruction on how it should be disbursed.

The witness said investigation by EFCC operatives revealed that the bank manager allegedly acting on Dariye’s instruction paid N100million in the name of “Peoples Democratic Party South-west” and the funds was later traced to a company – Marine Float Nigeria Limited – allegedly owned by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

He said efforts to make Atiku to refund the money had so far failed.

Poverty, unemployment and injustice responsible for conflicts in Nigeria - President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said Monday in Abuja that poverty, injustice and the lack of job opportunities were mainly responsible for inter-communal and intra-communal conflicts in Nigeria.

Speaking while receiving a delegation from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, an organization active in the promotion of peace in Nigeria, President Buhari said that to achieve enduring peace in the country, greater effort must be made to eradicate poverty and injustice.

The President described ethnic and religious conflicts in parts of the country as outward manifestations of underlying problems of joblessness, injustice and poverty.

On conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, President Buhari said that a plan to map out grazing areas will soon be presented to the Nigerian Governors Forum as a temporary solution to the frequent conflicts until cattle owners are persuaded to adopt other means of rearing their cattle.

The President commended the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue  for the relative peace that had returned to Plateau State as well as their on-going activity in Southern Kaduna.

He agreed with the Centre that dialogue was always preferable  to the use of law and order mechanisms  and force in the resolution of conflicts.

The Executive Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, David Harland told President Buhari  that following their success in facilitating the  settlement of the inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflicts in Plateau State, the group had moved to Kaduna State.

He expressed the hope that the techniques used in bringing peace to Plateau State can soon be  deployed to deal with the Boko Haram insurgency and other conflicts in Nigeria.

With State House

Kaduna APC Warns Members Against Anti- Party Activities

The leadership of the APC made the statement at a stakeholders meeting on Monday.

Rising from the meeting, the Deputy Governor of the state, Bala Bantex, emphasised that the party’s constitution was supreme and must be respected at all times by every member, warning that disciplinary measures would be meted against any member that violates such constitutional provisions, according to Channel Television.

While stating that no party member is above the party’s constitution, warned members to always ensure that their utterances and activities were in line with that of the state and the national leadership of the party.

The stakeholders meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, some elected State and National Assembly members and state party officials.

DasukiGate: Metuh files an application for variation of the terms

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday opened its case with two witnesses against the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in the charges of money laundering involving the sum of N400m which he allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014, according to The Punch.

The trial commenced before a Federal High Court in Abuja after the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, overruled objection by Metuh’s lead counsel, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) to adjourn the trial.

Ikpeazu also informed the judge on Monday that since Metuh had been unable to meet the bail conditions granted him on January 16, the defence had filed an application for variation of the terms.

He urged the court to adjourn the proceedings as the inability of his client to meet the bail conditions had adverse effect on his preparation for the defence.

The prosecution led by Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the application for adjournment and his objection was upheld by the judge.

Tahir then proceeded to open the prosecution’s case on Monday with the testimony of an employee of Asset and Resource Management Company Limited, Nneka Ararume, who narrated how she collected a total sum of $2m cash from Metuh at his house in Prince and Princess Estate, Abuja.

Ararume who described her position with the company as Wealth Manager, said the instruction given to her by Metuh was that the money should be invested.

She explained further that she went ahead to change the money to its naira equivalent through two bureau de change operators she engaged.

She said, “He gave me the sum of $2m in $100 bills. It was taken to bureau de change operators who would then transfer the money to ARM. From there (Metuh’s house) I proceeded to Mr. Sie Iyenome’s office at Wuse 2 where I gave him the sum of $1m.

“I also invited Mr. Kabir Mohammed and I also gave him the sum of $1m to transfer the naira equivalent in favour of Destra Investment Limited. Later on the same day, December 2, 2014, Mr. Kabir and Mr. Sie Iyenome confirmed the receipt.”

The prosecution also called Iyenome as its second prosecution witness, who also narrated how he changed the $1m to its naira equivalent and paid it to ARM.

Both witnesses were cross-examined by the defence counsel.

Trial has been adjourned till tomorrow for the prosecution to call more witnesses.

The prosecuting counsel said he had 16 more witnesses.

Mavin first lady,Tiwa Savage make a statement

Mavin first lady, Tiwa Savage, has made a comeback to the music industry, following her one-year leave to have and cater for her son, Jamil.

When asked about how she felt when it became clear she had been replaced as the queen bee in the music industry while on maternity leave, she replied:

 I don’t think I was really bothered. I know how entertainment is and sometimes you need that kind of news so I didn’t take it personally and I wasn’t really moved by it because when you’re having a baby that’s one of the biggest joys that you can ever imagine.

Tiwa also talked about her comeback, stating her number one priority.

"My priority was just to make sure that I was healthy and that my baby was healthy and that we had a safe delivery. So at that time I was taking time away from music and I knew I had to take time off but my focus was really my baby…and I had worked while I was pregnant. I had recorded my album so I also knew that I had something when I was going to come back and I was going straight back into work. I also believed in the grace of God over my life and I guess that helped me."

With AIT news

Wayne and Coleen Rooney announce birth of third son

The wife of Manchester United and England captain gave birth to their third son on Sunday, naming him Kit Joseph, according to BBC Sport.

Wayne wrote: "Our gorgeous little boy arrived today. Kit Joseph Rooney. 8Ib 1oz. We are over the moon."

The childhood sweethearts, who married in Italy in 2008, already have two sons - Kai, six, and two-year-old Klay.

It's thought that Coleen, 29, was admitted to the Liverpool Women's Hospital on Saturday ahead of the birth.

Wayne, 30, captained Manchester United at Old Trafford in a 1-0 loss to Southampton.

Like the Kardashians - the Rooneys have given their children names beginning with a K.

The couple simultaneously announced that Coleen was expecting in July with the same tweets.

Last week Coleen wrote that she was still waiting to go into labour.

On Monday she tweeted: "No baby yet!! .... Hurry up!! ..... Too comfy."

The footballer also posted a photo of the family when Klay was born.

In an interview before the birth, Coleen told OK! Magazine they would "definitely not" find out the sex of their baby.

But she told the magazine that she would "love a girl because it would complete the family".

"Hopefully the anticipation of the sex will make the labour go a bit quicker."

CHAN 2016:Ivory coast join hosts Rwanda in the quarterfinals

The Ivory Coast qualified for the knockout phase of the African Nations Championship CHAN 2016 in style after an emphatic 4-1 win over Gabon at the Huye Stadium in Butare on Sunday afternoon, according to AIT News.

The Elephants took the lead in the 19th minute after a beautiful long-range drive from Essis Aka sailed past Gabonese keeper Yves Moto into the bottom corner.

Gabon levelled the tie after 51 minutes when Franck Obambou met a teasing corner kick from Knox Younga, leaving goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare stranded in the Ivory Coast goal.

Cote D’Ivoire came back stronger in the second half and regained their lead through Djedje Guiza in the 65th minute, before substitute Koffi Boua scored a fine solo run, side-stepping two defenders to make it 3-1 and pit the game beyond the reach of Gabon.

The ruthless Ivorians put a gloss to the score in the 84th minute when Ble Treika made it 4-1 with a beautiful first touch to go lose his marker before beating the Yves Moto with a low shot.

In the other Group A match, hosts Rwanda fell 4-1 to Morroco but it was too little ,too late for the Atlas Lions who were knocked out as the hosts and Ivory Coast took the quarterfinal berths from the group.

Buhari Tasks Stakeholder for solution on Pipeline Vandalism

According a report shown at a meeting between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and executive of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities (TROMCON) in Port Harcourt, President Buhari directed the NDDC to quickly intervene and explore every avenue that would help bring back peace and stability to the region.

It was a consultation and negotiation meeting, one that was seen as very necessary to ensure there are no further acts of vandalism and criminality in the Niger Delta region.

At the meeting, the NDDC Acting Managing Director (MD), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, appealed to the traditional rulers, led by Eze Akuwueze Ikegwuruka, the paramount ruler of Ngbirichi in Imo State and the National Chairman of TROMPCON, to engage in serious sensitisation of their subjects against oil theft, vandalism and other acts that could cause a breach of security.

She tasked the royal fathers on engaging in five critical areas and promise to support TROMPCON, as critical partners, in its activities and in the commission’s efforts to facilitate the sustainable development of the Niger Delta, where Nigeria’ major source of revenue, crude oil, is mined.

The National Chairman of TROMPCON, Eze Ikegwuruka, assured Mrs Semenitari that the traditional rulers in the region were ready for partnership and collaboration with the NDDC, pointing out that TROMPCON had been longing to join hands with the NDDC and other development agencies.

He reaffirmed their stake in the affairs of the Niger Delta.

It is the view of TROMPCOM that all stakeholders as well as service providers should collaborate to ensure coordinated and accelerated development of the Niger Delta region. This imperative has been underscored in the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan which provided for Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) Forum,” Eze Ikegwuruka stressed.

He said that TROMPCON would do whatever was necessary to ensure the maintenance of peace and provide the conducive environment for the NDDC and other agencies of development, including contractors.

He further said that the royal fathers would visit the National Assembly to discuss the NDDC budget and rub minds with them to see how to provide more employment opportunities and avoid a situation where contracts were hijacked to the detriment of the people of the Niger Delta.

TROMPCON is currently in court with the Federal Government to press home the demand for proper funding of the NDDC in line with the commission’s enabling law.

With Channel Television

Wahala: Pastor lands in trouble after stolen vehicle was used to sow seed into his life

A Presbyterian Reverend, Titus Onwuchekwa, was recently paraded at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, alongside 5 suspects, for armed robbery. 

The arrest of two notorious armed robbery kingpins, Opeyemi Aregbesola and Bola Salami led to the arrest of one Osas Felix Bright and Chibuike Umeh. .

Felix and Chibike specialised in receiving stolen cars, changing the colour and re-registering the cars with forged custom duty documents before selling them. While reacting to his arrest, Rev. Titus Onwuchekwa, said: “I bought a Mitsubishi Pajero jeep from one Felix.


While negotiating, I told him that I was a man of God and he said that he would use the vehicle to sow a seed into my life. He said because I was a man of God, he would sell it to me for N500k. He said I should pray that God should bless him with more children because he had only had one child since he married.

He gave me the car documents, which bore his name; he also gave me the custom clearing documents, and they had the same name too. A soldier friend of mine had to help me verify if the car was genuine and he confirmed that it was. I am a man of God and I will never buy a stolen property.”

With AITnews

FG removed subsidy on kerosene and pegs price at N83 per litre

The Federal Government, weekend, hiked the price of Household Kerosene (HHK) to N83 per litre from N50 per litre, thereby, officially ending subsidy on the product, according to Vanguard.

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA , in its product pricing template released, weekend, however, stated that the N83 per litre price applies only to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), meaning that other petrol stations and dealers can sell higher than the stipulated amount.

Curiously, the hike in the price of kerosene came at a time when the price of crude oil had dropped to record low, with the price of petroleum products, such as kerosene, fuel and diesel, among others, dropping significantly in a number of countries, like the United States.

This also brings to question, the recent reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit announced by the Federal Government and which commenced at the beginning of the year.

Again, the PPPRA’s template also showed that at N83 per litre, the Federal Government is making a gain of N10.72 for every litre, as it puts the Expected Open Market Price, which is the Landing Cost plus Total Margins at N72.28 per litre. The expected open market price is the prevailing open market rate for the product in Nigeria, after taking certain costs into consideration.

Giving a breakdown of the price, the PPPRA template put the Landing Cost of  the product at N57.98 per litre, while the total margin due for middlemen was put at N14.30.

The PPPRA further put official ex-depot price, which is the price depot owners would sell at marketers, at N68.70 per litre, official ex-depot price for collection, N73 per litre while ex-coastal price is N68.02 per litre.

Late December, the PPPRA had on behalf of the Federal Government announced that effective January 1, 2016, Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, would be sold at N86 per litre by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) retail stations, while other oil marketers would sell at N86.50 per litre.

Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, who made the announcement, said the reduction in the price of the commodity was due to an implementation of the revised components of the Petroleum Products Pricing Template for PMS and household kerosene.

According to him, the revised template, which would be reviewed on quarterly basis, is geared towards ensuring an efficient and market-driven price that would reflect current realities.

He said: “Since 2007, while crude oil price had been moving up and down, the template remained the same. This had made it necessary for us to introduce a mechanism whereby the template would be sensitive to the price of crude oil.

“However, the template is not static, as there would be a quarterly review and if there is any major shift, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources would be expected to call for a review, either upward or downward, depending on the market condition.

US and UK said they do not recognise the passports issued by Biafra

The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom have said they do not recognise the passports being issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, according to The Punch.

The National Director of Information, MASSOB, Sunny Okereafor, had said two weeks ago that the passport was valid worldwide, adding that the travel document costs N5,000 while its renewal costs N2,000.

He had said, “I assure you that the Biafran passport is valid. Except Nigeria, other countries of the world accept Biafran passport and allow our citizens to travel with it. In Europe, North and South America, Biafran passport is accepted. Nigeria is the only country that seizes Biafran passport. Go to neighbouring Ghana here, they will stamp the passport for you. Don’t be confused by the propaganda of the Nigerian government that there is nothing like Biafra passport.

“MASSOB appeals to Biafran citizens to procure their passport and use it to travel. If you doubt me, get a Nigerian passport while I have my Biafran passport; when we get to Europe, you will see who they will welcome than the other. Many people with the Nigerian passport have been repatriated, but have you heard of anybody with Biafran passport receiving such ill-treatment?”

However, our correspondent sent an email to the American consulate in Lagos to inquire from the US regarding the claim of MASSOB.

In his response, the Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the consulate, Frank Sellin, said, “The United States does not consider passports purporting to be from a Biafra entity to be a valid legal document for purposes of visa issuance.”

 British Government in a similar response to The Punch via email.

The UK recalled that it did not support the disintegration of Nigeria during the 1967 Biafran War and had not changed its stance 49 years after.

A statement by the Press and Public Affairs Officer, British High Commission, Abuja, Mr. Joe Abuku, read in part, “The answer is unequivocally ‘no’. The UK does not recognise the so-called Biafran passport, told The Punch.

“The position of the UK Government during the Biafran War is a matter of historical record. The UK Government’s position, which reflected the Charter of the Organisation of African Unity, was to recognise the borders laid down at independence.

“The Biafran War caused great suffering and the UK supported the reconciliation work that followed the conflict. The UK supports the territorial integrity of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government’s commitment to work for a secure and prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians.”