Abuja-Kaduna Rail Track Commences Test Running In March- Minister of Transport

The Federal Government has ordered Chinese construction giant (CCECC) to ensure arrangements are in place for the commencement of the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail transport next month. It also emerged that fencing the railway lines will gulp $100 million (about N345 million).

Rotimi Amaechi MInister of Transport

Speaking with newmen after an inspection of the project, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed that the construction of the fence to check encroachment of grazing animals was responsible for  jerking up of the initial contract sum to over $1 billion.

BREAKING: Chris Ngige Collapses While Defending Budget At The National Assembly

Emerging reports suggests that Nigeria’s minister of labour and employment, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige collapsed today at the National Assembly.

Senator Chris Ngige

Daily Post reports that the minister collapsed while defending his ministry’s budget before the House of Representatives’ Committee on labour. Sources disclose that he was immediately rushed to a hospital. 

It would be recalled that the General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare had a similar experience in which he was also rushed to a hospital after he reportedly collapsed, while delivering a lecture in Lagos state.

Senator Ngige’s sudden collapse is a wake-up call for Nigerian public office holders to be sure they are fit health-wise always. The federal Government should ensure that only those who are healthy should be given public offices. 

Source: Naij.com

P-Square’s Latest: Peter Okoye Apologizes To Elder Brother

Following a series of tweets where he called for the sack of his elder brother as their manager, one half of the pop duo, Psquare, Peter Okoye has apologized for his outbursts against his brothers, Paul and Jude Okoye.

Psquare and elder brother Jude (middle)

Peter’s apology which he tendered via his twitter page  came as  his twin brother, Paul Okoye has declared his support for their elder brother.

He shared a photo of Psquare and Jude Okoye and wrote, “I am not perfect I make mistakes, and it hurts people. But when I say sorry I mean it. I am so sorry for my actions. I sincerely apologize.”

Anita Finalises Divorce From Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Lawyers

Anita Oyakhilome wife of Lagos pastor  Chris Oyakhilome has finalised her divorce from the clergy who is the head of Christ Embassy.

Solicitors, Attwaters Jameson Hill, in a statement on her behalf, said the divorce was finalised on February 8 and hinted that she had dropped Oyakhilome from her name for Obhodaghe, while also severing ties with the church.

“I Was Undermined- Onyeka Onwenu

Legendary singer Onyeka Onwenu put out a press statement Thursday in Abuja about her time as the Director General of the National Center For Women Development. 

Onyeka Onwenu

The statement with its allegations of sexism, tribalism, a ‘Fatwa’, and her generally being undermined in what appears to be a poorly-organized and corrupt parastatal has since gone viral on social media, with the singer trending on Twitter.

I Will Not Step Down Until Am 99 Years Old- Robert Mugabe

The 92-year-old Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, on Thursday in Harare maintained that even though is party would choose a successor, he planned to contest the next election in 2018.

Robert Mugabe

Mugabe, who would be 94 by 2018, insisted that he would still seek his last five-year term under a new constitution that would see him through to 99 years old.

He said with reference to the UN Chief, Ban Ki-moon statement calling on African leaders not to cling to power, Mugabe responded that he would continue “until God says ‘come’’.

Nollywood Actor Mike Odiachi Is Dead

The ex president of Actor's Guild of Nigeria Segun Arinze, has announced the death of popular Nollywood actor Mike Odiachi. He died at the General Hospital, Ikorodu on Monday, February 15, 2016.

Mike Odiachi

Odiachi, who hails from Asaba, Delta state, was married with children. He featured in a number of Nollywood movies including Prophet of Doom. His most acclaimed role was in Igodo where he was buried alive.

Mike’s demise is coming just as the industry is still mourning the demise of two bright stars, Peter Onwuzurike known as Dede One Day and Sikiru Adeshina popularly called Arakangudu.

Pro-Biafra Protests: Army to Relocate Hqtrs To Aba

In a bid to contain the increasing protest by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafra, MASSOB, and ensure adequate protection of lives and property in Aba, Abia State, the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, has concluded plans to relocate its command headquarters to the city.

Nigeria Army

Speaking to newsmen, Commanding Officer, 14 Brigade Ohafia, Brigadier General Lawrence Fejokwu, who stated this at 144 Battalion, Asa, Ukwa West council area, noted that Aba had become a hotspot because of the activities of the IPOB and MASSOB agitating for the actualization of a sovereign state of Biafra, as well as the resurgence of kidnapping and sundry crimes, stressing that all hands should be on deck to tackle the trend. 

Cech To Be Awarded By Becoming Arsenal's Captain

According to the Daily Mail the former Chelsea keeper Petr Cech is set to be rewarded for his form at Arsenal by becoming club captain.

Cech

The source noted that the current skipper Mikel Arteta is set to leave the Emirates Stadium in June and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must look for a replacement for the midfielder.

“Cech’s communication skills are thought to be a key motivation for the possible decision. The experienced goalkeeper speaks five languages and is already seen as one of the squad’s leaders,” the newspaper stresses. 

Alleged Money Laundering: EFCC Interrogates Diezani’s Husband, Admiral Madueke

Former Chief of Na­val Staff and husband of embattled former minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (retd), was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Fi­nancial Crimes Commis­sion (EFCC) yesterday in Abuja.

The former navy chief was picked up from his Abuja residence for ques­tioning and was interro­gated for several hours.

It was also gathered that his arrest was in con­nection with the ongoing probe of his wife’s finan­cial transactions while she served as oil minister in former president Good­luck Jonathan’s adminis­tration.

River State Rerun Election: Card Reader Must Be Used- INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared it will use the card reader in the forthcom­ing national and state assemblies rerun elections in Rivers State.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Aniede Ikoiwak, stated this during stakeholders’ meet­ing in Port Harcourt.

Ikoiwak, who took over recently from Dame Gesila Khan, disclosed that incident forms would be used to com­pliment card readers in special situations based on the com­mission’s approval. 

Crisis Hits P-Square, Manager (Jude Okoye, Elder Brother) Sacked

The music partnership of twins, Paul and Peter Okoye is under threat yesterday when one of the twin sacked their elder brother, Jude, as their manager.

Psquare and Jude (elder brother)

For 16 years, P-square have been record-produc­ing musicians with Jude as manager.

Though the rumour had been making the rounds for a while that all was not well with P-Square and their brother, Jude, the lid finally blew open on Wednesday, when Peter took to Twitter and fired Jude in a series of tweets!

EFCC Re-Arraigns Dokpesi Over ‘N2.1bn Fraud’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has  re-arraigned The Founder and former Chairman of DAAR Communications  PLc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi,  before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja. 

Dokpesi was first arraigned before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the same court in December 2015. On Wednesday, he pleaded not-guilty to a six-count charge of criminal breach of public procurement law to the tune of N2.1bn – the same charges filed against him in December. Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to the EFCC, had told the court there was a need for Dokpesi to take a fresh plea. 

Dasuki Sambo: I Am Not Ready To Face Trial

Former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki,  has said he was not ready for trial until the Federal Government complied with an order of the Federal High Court granting him bail.

Sambo Dasuki

 In November 2015, Justice Adeniyi Ademola had granted Dasuki bail but the Department of State Services, DSS, rearrested him immediately after his release from Kuje prison. Counsel to the DSS, Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), announced to the court, yesterday, that the prosecution was ready for trial to commence.

I Was Not Arrested By EFCC- General Wiwa

Former director of military intelligence, General Letam Wiwa, has again, restated that he was never arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

General Wiwa

In response to a story entitled “Ex-DMI, General Wiwa, arrested,” which was published in  Daily Sun of Monday, February 15, 2015, Major General Letam  W. Wiwa,  through his  solicitors, denied the report of his arrest  by the EFCC.

We Have Dislodged Boko Haram--Federal Government

Despite the recent attacks by Boko Haram, the Federal Government insisted yesterday that the insurgents have been driven away from the North East.

Besides, despite government’s insistence that Boko Haram insurgents have been considerably degraded by the coordinated and unrelenting efforts of the military, Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would not return to their respective communities in a haste.

Buhari Sacks Veteran Actress And 25 Other Director Generals Of Govt Agencies

The News reports that over 23 director generals and managing directors of agencies and departments of government, including veteran actress, Onyeka Onwenu, have been sacked today.

Onyeka Onwenu

News reports have revealed that the President of the Nigerian Federation, Buhari Muhammadu, has sacked over 23 director generals, including veteran actress and musician, Onyeka Onwenu.