CLON LESLEY

 Fire engulfed a 63-storey skyscraper in Dubai on Thursday night, but with the block evacuated and only minor injuries reported authorities went ahead with aNew Year's fireworks display at the world's tallest building a few hundred meters away.Tongues of flame shot skywards from one side of the luxury Address Downtown Dubai hotel and residentialblock, which stands across a plaza from the 160-storey Burj Khalifa tower where people had gathered for fireworks to mark the New Year. Television pictures showed pieces of blazing debris raining down from The Address as evacuated occupants hurried away from the building, some running.downtown Dubai said. But as midnight struck, with the Address building continuing to burn, onlookers cheered as a swirling massof multicoloured fireworks enveloped the Burj Khalifa.The Dubai government's media office said the Address blaze was 90 percent under control. Police chief Major General Khamis Matar told Al Arabiya television: more than 60 pe

The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, in a message to Nigerians ahead of the New Year, gave the assurance that he was totally committed to fulfilling the promises made to Nigerians during his political campaigns. President Buhari said that his administration had focused on laying the right foundation for the change Nigerians voted for during March 28 historic presidential election. In the message that came a day before the New Year, the President said that 2016 would be a year for the continuation of the change his political party had promised. “Still Totally Committed” He said: “I am aware that Nigerians have experienced a number of significant hardships over the past months. “Living in the State House has not alienated me from your daily sufferings. “I am aware of the lengthy queues at fuel stations and of the difficulties businesses have faced in acquiring foreign exchange. “These challenges are only temporary; we are working to make things better. “When I presented myself

APC chieftain and former governor of Lagos state, Bola Tinubu has sent a new year's message to Nigerians. In his message, he called on all Nigerians to come together to build "a more perfect nation". He also said that in the new year, Nigeria can attain greatness. HIS FULL MESSAGE: "The new year presents a  chance for us to place this precious nation  on the right path. This path will not be easy as we must press to surmount obstacles that should have been laid behind us long ago. There are no short cuts to take to greatness, but there also is no reason that we cannot attain that greatness. Our new government offers the country its best chance. Thus, we must dedicate ourselves to creating a more perfect nation, one built on justice, peace, unity and prosperity. We must join hands in common purpose to defeat insecurity, poverty and corruption and bring back prosperity.  Let us pledge never again to fall victim to these scourges. Let us pledge this year to wa

Nigerian pop star, Davido and his baby-mama Sophia, were recently embroiled in a fight over the custody of their daughter Imade, a battle which went viral on the social media. How it happened First, Sophia and her family reportedly started the drama after filing a petition against Davido and his family for alleged child trafficking. All of this, led Davido to release a lengthy recount of his side of the story via his Instagram handle which has generated a lot of different views in the public domain According to him: “I became the father of a love-child. DNA testing determined with maximum proof that I indeed was the father of my daughter, delivered by a head-butting casual lover, Miss Sophia Momodu. I met Sophia when I was barely 21 years old. She was many years older than me and was able to manipulate and exploit my youth, naivety and generosity. Sophia is the mother of my daughter, and no more! She never would be my wife and she was never qualified for that status. Her backgro

Manchester United are reportedly close to completing a £35m move for Lazio’s Felipe Anderson. The Brazilian playmaker scored 11 times in 37 games for Lazio last season and has also found the back of the net on five occasions this term. Man United have been strongly linked with a move for the 22-year-old over the last couple of weeks and according to The Sun, a figure in the region of £35m has now been agreed with Lazio. It is understood that personal terms will not prove problematic due to the Premier League side’s financial standing, and the deal could go through next week as the Red Devils look to boost their options in the final third of the field. Anderson, who has one Brazil cap to his name, joined Lazio from Santos in 2013 and helped his Italian club finish third in Serie A last season.

Vincent Obetta, the lawyer of Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Radio Biafra, has denied reports that his client apologized to President Muhammadu Buhari. Reports had surfaced that Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),  apologised to  President Buharifor referring to him as a terrorist, evil and a paedophile in his radio broadcasts. The apology was reportedly contained in a statement which the 48-year-old pro-Biafran agitator made available to the DSS on October 23. Nnamdi Kanu with mother, Ugoeze Nnenne, and siblings. Speaking on Wednesday, December 30, Obetta said it was impossible that Kanu tendered an apology, The Cable reports. According to him, the report was an indication that the government was trying everything possible to destroy Kanu’s defence. “The government is using every instrument to puncture what we are doing,” he said. Kanu has been in the Department of State Services (DSS) detention over charges of treason and other ancillary offences. A chi

THE leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed regret for referring to President Muhammadu Buhari as a terrorist, evil and a paedophile in his radio broadcasts. Kanu, who has been charged along with two others by the Federal Government before a Federal High Court in Abuja on six counts of treason and other ancillary offences, said he intended to write a private letter to Buhari to express his apology to the President. He also apologised to former President Goodluck Jonathan and Igbo elders for “some uncomplimentary things” he said about them. The 48-year-old pro-Biafran agitation leader, who is, however, unapologetic about his demand for a Republic of Biafra, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since his arrest in Lagos on October 14, 2015. He tendered the apology for his comment against Buhari and others in a statement which he made to the DSS on October 23. The prosecution, in its summary of the case, al

On Saturday the 27th of December 2015, a policeman ran mad and shot three Nollywood actors during the traditional ceremony of Danduko group of companies boss at Uruagu-Nnewi in Anambra. According to an eyewitness who identified himself as Ifeanyi, the couple were dancing and getting sprayed with Naira and dollar notes around 6:30pm when an out of control cop shot 3 of the wedding guests. A guest ran inside to inform the celebrants of the tragedy that had just happened outside, leading to the abrupt end of the ceremony. It was later discovered that the policeman had actually shot 3 Nollywood actors who came to the occasion dead. The bodies of the victims were later taken to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi. The identities of 2 of the victims have not been disclosed. One of the victims, a budding actor identified as Charles Okocha was rushed to the ER ward of the hospital. 2 bullets have been removed from his body but his condition is still unknown. Whi

The Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) in Nigeria has announced the implementation of the revised components of the Petroleum Pricing Template for PremiumMotor Spirit (PMS).In a statement by the Executive Secretary of the PPPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed, the pump price was put at 86.50 Naira per litre, a price the agency said was in line with the prevailing market trend.“This new price regime is witheffect from January 1, 2016,” the statement read.According to Mr Ahmed, the reversed template was approved by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.The statement said that the major components of the pricing template affected by this review were Traders Margin, Lightering Expenses, Nigeria Port Authority, Jetty Throughput, Storage Chargesand Bridging Fund.Other components revised include Retailers’ Transporters and Dealers Margins.As contained in the breakdown, the Ex-depot priceof PMS shall be 77 Naira per litre while the pump price will be 86.50 Naira per lit

For the time since assuming office on May 29, President Buhari is set to hold the first Presidential Media Chat on Wednesday. President Muhammadu Buhari in the course of the programme, which will be broadcast live on the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal RadioCorporation of Nigeria (FRCN), President Buhari will answer questions from a panel of journalists on a broad range of current national issues.A statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Mr. Femi Adesina, said the Presidential Media Chat will begin at 7.00pm.The statement said other television and radio stations in the country may hook-up to NTA and FRCN to relay the programme to their viewers and listeners.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has restated commitment of the Federal Government to locating the missing Chibok girls. Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who spoke during Channels TV, Sunrise programme via phone stated that, “We are a bit constrained. I know that some countries have set certain fire around the Sambisa forest in order to smoke out the Boko Haram insurgents but we are being careful because we are still looking for the Chibok girls and we do not want unnecessary collateral casualties”. “I know that many of our neighbours like Mali and Niger have employed certain procedures because of our major objective that we are still looking for the Chibok girls, so in some parts of Sambisa forest, we cannot adopt such drastic approaches.” “People must own the war. They must report suspicious movements and complement efforts of the military. How many bars or football viewing centres in Lagos can you secure? No, but if you have enough information to beef up the s

Requirements For Registration/ Mobilization Of Graduates This is to inform all prospective corps members, i.e. Nigerians who have graduated from Universities and Mono/Polytechnics both at home and abroad that when NYSC On-line registration portal opens ensure to register on time for mobilization. In order to ensure a seamless registration, prospective corps members are to note the following for strict compliance: 1. The Website address is any of the following: i. www.nysc.gov.ng ii. www.nysc.org.ng iii. www.portal.nysc.gov.ng iv. www.forster/nysc.ng 2. Locally trained prospective Corps members are expected to use correct JAMB and Matriculation numbers to register 3. Prospective Corps members should ensure that they have valid and functional e-mail addresses that they can access and Nigerian (GSM) telephone numbers with which to register. 4. Foreign-trained graduates from Ghana and Benin Republic must obtain letters of verification and upload same for mobi

Former Minister of Aviation and spokesperson for the Goodluck Jonathan election campaign, Mr. Femi Fani Kayode has written an open letter to President Buhari. The letter read:- "Mr. President, as one of your most loyal and faithful  subjects who has nothing but the utmost respect for your person and your office, I am constrained to write you this open letter. This is because there are a number of issues that I believe that it is important for you to clarify and to come clean on. I say this because some of your assertions of late are at best contradictory and at worst patently dishonest. Whichever side of the political divide we are on I believe that we can all agree on one thing: that the prosecution of the war against terror is not something that any of us should play politics with. This is especially so given the fact that human lives are at stake and the very existence of our nation is under threat. Like much of the rest of the world our country is going through hell at

Just when Nigerians are rejoicing over the first Christmas in 3 years without any reported bomb attack, reports from Maiduguri, Borno State has it that there is an ongoing battle between Boko Haram insurgents and the Nigerian over attempts by Boko Haram terrorists to take over the capital city. Reports indicate that the terrorists hve mobilized themselves in buses, While the military is defending the City from the Terrorists. Sources on the ground report that about 364 bodies have been recovered already. Though its unclear on which side the casualties are on; army, boko haram or civilians. Stay tuned for more details .

As the war on corruption heightens, the political battle-line between the governing All Progressives Congress, APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has sharply been drawn. While leaders from both parties voice out their support for the clean-up of the country by ridding it of corruption, the National Working Committee of the PDP seems clearly to be working contrary to the anti-corruption rhetoric of their Board of Trustees. Their public communication organs have, in particular, become increasingly combative against the exercise. All that the President, leading the APC change orchestra is trying to do is to revamp a moribund nation with growth, jobs and recovered looted funds. Sadly, only a few, if any in Wadata House are treating the war against corruption as the extra-ordinary event which it is. Instead, when they speak up, they do so most ardently against it. In a clear demonstration of obstructist politics, they challenge the government in every move it makes, b

Manchester United manager is in serious jeopardy after his side's wretched form continued with a 2-0 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday. Pre-match media reports suggested Van Gaal was one defeat away from the sack and the 64-year-old Dutchman saw his team's run of games without a win extended to seven at the Britannia Stadium. A weak back header from Memphis Depay enabled Glen Johnson to tee up Bojan Krkic for Stoke's opener in the 19th minute and Marko Arnautovic brilliantly slammed home the hosts' second goal seven minutes later. Asked if he felt he still had the support of the United board and owners the Glazer family, Van Gaal told Sky Sports: "It's another situation. We have lost the fourth game (in succession), so you have to wait and see." He added: "It's more difficult because I'm also part of the four matches that we have lost. "So people are looking at me. I have to deal with that, but much more important is that the playe

A team of scientists in America have invented a new type of condom that is capable of killing the HIV virus while enhancing pleasure. A new hydrogel-based condom that contains antioxidants has been invented by a team of Indian-American scientists at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center. It was gathered that not only does it contain plant-based antioxidants, which kills the HIV-virus in case of condom breakage but it also uses antioxidants to enhance pleasure. Experts say it is the new big player to join the fight against AIDS “We are not only making a novel material for condoms to prevent the HIV infection, but we are also aiming to eradicate this infection if possible. Supercondom could help fight against HIV infection and may as well prevent unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. If we succeed, it will revolutionize the HIV prevention initiative” Choudhury, the lead researcher and assistant professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center’s Ir

President Muhammadu Buhari has once again reiterated the resolve of his administration to persuade Boko Haram insurgents to accept peace. Speaking at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja when the FCT Christian Community paid him a Christmas homage, President Buhari said his administration will use government institutions to persuade the insurgents to allow peace to reign.  Recall that on Thursday that President Buhari in an interview with the BBC, declared that Nigeria has “technically won the war” against Boko Haram. According to him, Boko Haram insurgents have been sent away from Yobe and Adamawa states and now remain a force in its heartland of Borno state. However, with the latest statement from the president, it seems the President is using the carrot and stick approach in the fight against the insurgents with this new window of opportunity for negotiations with the Boko Haram sect. His words: “On Boko Haram, this government is determined to make sure that we persuade them if th

The Nigerian public has voted former President Goodluck Jonathan as The Man of the Year. In a poll conducted by The Orange News Group, Jonathan beat Senator Ben Murray Bruce and President Buhari to clinch the award. The result was announced in a publication by the group on its website. Below is the full publication: Two weeks ago, we put up a call to the public to suggest remarkable personalities whose eff orts have impacted Nigeria in a good way this year. The response trickled in daily then we did a shortlist down to three candidates and asked the public to cast their votes and let us know who among them should be given the MAN OF THE YEAR honors for 2015. The response was overwhelming. Many Nigerians across the country not only sent in their votes but also shared the poll with their friends asking them to go in and vote for the personality of their choice. After a week of voting, the Orange News Team did a collation of the votes from the audience and it became glaring that

Wonders indeed never end. Two gay men, who are incidentally related, Mr. Monday Ehikwe and his nephew, Godwin Chukwueku Okwuoseh were caught homose.xually ‘servicing’ each other in one of the buildings at Agbor-Alidinma in Ika South Local Government area of Delta state  The accused persons who were caught by the vigilante group attached to the community, were handed over to the Okpala, the spiritual head of Agbor-Alidinma and his council of chiefs who subsequently handed them over to the Chief Priest of Umuogene shrine, Dr Micheal Nmose for spiritual cleansing and administration of first step traditional oath on them, according to reports. The men were also acused of mysticism and practices that brought strange sicknesses like strokes and other ailments which had been causing deaths in the community. Meanwhile, the two men were instructed to pay a fine of N25,000 each and to return to the shrine in January, 2016, with one native cow for final traditional bath, as well as to c

Tragedy occurred, Thursday in the industrial town of Nnewi, Anambra state when an industrial Gas plant suddenly exploded and with over 100 persons burnt to death. The explosion rocked the Inter Corp Oil limited(LPG Gas Plant), an subsidiary of Chikason Group. According to an eye-witness, the fire incident which started at about 11am, was caused by an explosion when a truck  was discharging its contents. The source hinted that all the customers who went to the gas plant to get a refill were allegedly burnt to death while some of the victims who were in the neighborhood and passers-by also got caught in the inferno. At the scene of the incident, the charred bodies of the victims and other severely burnt persons  were taken to Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi. It was gathered that the  inferno did not allow rescue workers into the factory where hundreds were allegedly trapped. Vanguard

Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon has done it again. This is what he has to say about the #DasukiGate Yam Festival: "Whereas the Dasuki menopause has diaphanously made the point that the Jonathan administration elevated the dum vivimus,vivamus nectar to a nauseating and asphyxiating elastoplast,it can bear reiteration that beyond the current ballyhoo baying for a condign comeuppance,the challenge is how to ensure that each public officer is henceforth subjected to the immolatory trajectory of dulce et decorum est pro patria mori....But can we break away from the penelopic circle of flagellative rigor mortis?"

By Bobson Gbinije “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned/ Nor Hell a fury like a woman scorned.”(The Morning Bride – William Congreve)JESUS Christ is the authentic Messiahand unblemished signet on all Christians. He is the generalissimo. Although the exact date of his birth remain scripturally hazy, but the commemoration of the birth of the great son of the living God, the Prince of Peace is fundamentally obligatory and critically crucial for all Christians. The total veneration of the messianic quintessence on December 25th, January 6th by some and 1st October by others is in recognition His birth which has spiritual significance for all who believe.But the unthinkable licentiousness, exuberance, moral depravity, and hideous consumerism which has characterised Christmas celebrations for ages, glaringly shows that, there is the complete demonisation of Christianity and Christ. Hence, the Indian and Hindu statesman Mohandas Gandhi said: “I have never been able to reconcile myse

A teenager, Gary Hillon has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register after begging police officers to rape him, UK Mirror reports. He also repeatedly asked a woman if she would sleep with him. The 19-year-old now faces being locked up for making the bizarre remarks. Details emerged at Paisley Sheriff Court as Hillon sat in the dock having pleaded guilty to three charges. He admitted making s*xual remarks to the woman, who can’t be named for legal reasons. Hillon also admitted to making Sexual comments to the police officers and assaulting one by spitting on his body. Fiscal depute Saud Hassan told the court that Hillon, of Kintyre Avenue, Linwood, started speaking to a 40-year-old woman as she was in the town’s Stirling Drive on the evening of Saturday, September 5. The prosecutor explained:“She became aware of a male, the now accused, standing outside a garden gate. “He walked towards her and said, ‘can I ask you a question?’ “She replied saying that he could and the accused therea

A federal High Court judge has excised himself from hearing treason charges brought by the government against Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra. Justice Ahmed Mohammed announced the decision on Wednesday in Abuja after Mr. Kanu objected to the case, saying it was needless, as the federal government had repeatedly disobeyed previous court rulings. The government is accusing Mr. Kanu of plotting to split Nigeria, by creating a Biafra Republic with south east, south south states, and parts of Kogi and Benue states, as component units. Mr. Kanu, who was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Wednesday, told the court before commencement of the prosecution’s plea that he preferred being held in the detention, than subjecting himself to a trial, which outcome will not be respected. He said his previous trials had various outcomes that were abused or neglected by the office of the State Security Service, SSS. Mr. Kanu therefore stated his outright objection to the tri

In Biafra land, it is said that, if a road is good you travel through it twice, It follows If the road is bad sane people should not go through it twice. And so why should a sane person listen to father Mbaka again? Prophecies are proclaimed to come to pass, but the case of Mbaka is different because I would recall vividly of his countless predictions that never came to pass during the era of past governor of Enugu state, Chimaroke Nnamani.  Mbaka vowed to drop his cassock should Chimaroke   win the election for the second term in office, but he failed to keep his words when Chimaroke was re-elected. Today Mbaka is still on cassock. Mbaka also said sometimes ago that union bank will fold in Nigeria, but today Union bank is still in existence, YET MBAKA is STILL ON CASSOCK, DOES IT SHOW HE SPEAKS ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT? The answer is NO. Then tell me what is any sane person doing going to a man who calls himself a prophet whose predictions never come to fulfill

The Christmas season is truly a very wonderful time of the year. The entire globe has a great bounce to it and the atmosphere experiences a monumental change. Excitement fills the air, everywhere you turn there seems to be bustling activities of celebration. Family and friends unite, children home from school, giving and receiving gifts… However, many people allow themselves to get all worked-up this season. They allow pressure, anxiety, worry, unhealthy comparisons and competition make them lose the joy of the season. They worry about everything from where to go, what to eat, what to wear, decorations and all of those kinds of things. And it mostly comes down to financial pressures. I know so many people hardly have even what to eat this season and they are most likely to worry…But I am not talking about these people right now. I am talking about the average couple who can put at least a decent meal on their table for Christmas. "When couples  stress during the  Christmas

Multi platinum selling pop singer Adele has revealed that she has stopped drinking after warning from her doctor that it could ruin her voice; “I am not allowed to drink as it dehydrates my vocal chords. “Alcohol blocks your ears when you get drunk and you get lairy, which makes you talk louder. I might raise my voice and my voice might go again.” She said Adele had previously said she drinks and took too many sugars. “I used to drink 10 cups of tea a day with two sugars – 20 sugars a day. But I don’t now and have more energy than ever.” Adele who has a son said motherhood has changed her; “The other day I was saying, ‘Oh God, I’m finding this really hard again with a kid. “I have no time for myself because in between doing this, all my spare time is with him. “But then I realised, he’s been keeping me totally cool and calm about the whole thing. “He makes me so proud of myself, and he makes me like myself so much. “And I’ve always liked myself. I’ve never not liked myse

The Peoples Democratic Party has described the N6.8 trillion 2016 federal budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday as a big fraud and executive conspiracy tailored towards mortgaging the future of the nation. The party queried Mr. Buhari’s decision to borrow N2 trillion, the biggest in the history of the nation as the “height of recklessness and deceit from a government that trends on propaganda”. The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, on Tuesday berated the Federal Government for trying to use their “bogus” welfare programme and “phantom” capital projects as cover and conduit to syphon the funds to satisfy partisan interests, particularly to settle huge campaign debts. “It is obvious that this budget is an extension of the campaign promises of the APC government, presented as a manifesto filled with bogus promises which implementation will be inconclusive, thereby allowing the APC to once again deny their promises. “There has