BREAKING NEWS: BOKO HARAM CURRENTLY ATTACKING THE MILITARY BARRACK @ BABANGIDA VILLAGE YOBE

 Suspected members of Boko Haram terrorist sect are said to be currently engaging Nigerian military @ Babbangida village, Tarmuwa LGA of Yobe State..Read the Channel TV tweets after the cut...

USHER'S NEW YEAR EVE BRAWL...RESULTED IN 'RED' EYE !!!

On New Year's Eve after a man reportedly disrespected his girlfriend. the next day, Usher,said the person he fought with got a worse deal. He posted a photo of his red eye some days after the brawl, Usher is still sporting the red eye as he was seen shopping in Beverly Hills yesterday. More photos after the cut.......

REV FR.MBAKA ON 'GEL' ADMINISTRATION: 2014 COUNTRY SUFFERED LOT OF BLOOD EXPERIENCE...

Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka, blasted GEJ during his New Year message to his congregation. Below is the full transcript of what he said...

"In the year 2014, we had a lot of bloodshed in this country. People were dying like rats without anybody asking about them. This country suffered a lot of blood experience. Many of us witnessed that people were in tears. Just like the ancient world, the year 2014, the 4 in it had the queen in it, which had to do with death. Our leaders failed us with reckless abandon and nobody asked them question.

The so-called democracy was a hidden autocracy. It was deceptive and questionable quack miler. Nigerians suffered hunger unnecessarily. We heard about oil subsidy being removed and added, whatever be(is) their jargon, nobody understood them. We heard about minimum wage, the civil servant suffered, the minimum wage was not paid and we were all calm. In 2015, Nigerians will not be calm again (shouts of AMEN!).

We need change. Whatever it will be, let it be. This is my golden message to my beloved country. What actually is happening (Ogini nne me?). The multitude of our youths, the quality young men, quality young women, brilliants youths but nobody has plans for any of you. Our so-called leaders should come and apologize. In 2015, it shall not continue like that (shouts of AMEN).

By the grace of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are announcing spiritually, change! 2015 should not be a year of any hooligan maneuvering to hijack power. This is our New Year message.  Listen, when you go home, tell anybody you see that from the oracle of the Holy Spirit, we are announcing change (AMEN). Can somebody help me to shout change (shouts of change by the congregation) in Jesus holy name.

Look at what it’s like, as I’m yet to bless your families, bless your industries, bless your destinies. Come 2015, your plans are blessed, your vision are blessed, your locomotive society are blessed. I cover this year with the blood of Jesus. I seal this year with the blood of Jesus.

My message is in two branches (folds). Number one branch, the theme of this first message to my fellow countrymen is from good luck to bad luck. Once upon a time, the whole countrymen were crying for a leader who will help us move forward with our economy, have an authentic democracy, give our unemployed youths jobs, enable our power to be steady, who will industrialize Nigerians, who will encourage mass education and agriculturalize Nigeria.  Having in view that oil will soon drop, give us security in a maximum level. By the grace of God, there emerged a Goodluck, all of us were happy, the Goodluck met Yar’ Adua and Yar’ Adua died. May the Holy Spirit help me as I utter this message, I know many will misunderstand it, but it will stand the test of time and you will know I’m speaking the truth.

The Goodluck met Yar’Adua and Yar’Adua died. Before you know it, the Goodluck met our oil and the oil had a bad luck and poured away, before we knew it, the Goodluck met our naira, our naira had a bad luck. Where are we going? What is the fate of this country? Shall we continue like this, we need change (shout of change from the congregation).

As I’m speaking with you, most of our civil servants did not celebrate their Christmas. The Christmas season that should be a Goodluck time became a bad luck time for our Nigerians forgetting that very soon, from 3rd January, the children will go back to school and the parent are going to pay school fees. From where? Are they going to use their urine to pay? (Shout of NO from the congregation). But where is the good water even if they are going to use their urine. Are they going to use their stool to pay the school fees of their children? (Shout of NO from the congregation). You have to eat well to defecate.

What is the fate of our children? Tears fill my eyes when I see our young graduates hoping and walking our streets. What is the meaning of kidnapping? Kidnapping is the grandson of unemployment. Boko Haram is a grand great child of the same unemployment, mass looting, and poor governance.

I’m not saying that Goodluck is a bad man. He is a good man. But he cannot lead Nigeria. As things stand right now, from the oracle of the Holy Spirit, Jonathan should honourably resign quietly and let Nigeria be. The destiny of Nigeria is greater than Goodluck Jonathan. The Goodluck in Jonathan has become a bad luck to Nigerians. Whatever brought him in should send him back and let Nigeria be.
By this time in few months to come, many are going to lose their jobs and there is no alternative.

During election, Jonathan will answer Azikiwe, Ebele and become an Igbo man and after election, the Ebele, the Azikiwe and Goodluck will vanish from his identity. Who is fooling who actually?
Look at our federal roads, we are not even asking for new ones, roads built by Buhari and Babangidas —  the so called Hausa people— cannot be maintained. Follow Enugu here to Onitsha, children born some years ago do not know that there was a lane along the other side of Isiagwu and we are all saying continue. The continuity of Jonathan means disaster to Nigeria.

We need change. May the Holy Spirit help me to vocalize what he has shown to me while I was waiting on him to give me a message for my people? I’m worried about the future of you my children. Go to school, go to school, mention any government school functioning in Nigeria now? Our schools are dilapidated. Nigeria is like an egg about to break in the hands of Jonathan Goodluck and we cannot allow it to happen. It is so unfortunate that pastors are becoming vultures around the president. Pastors are becoming hawks around him, eating the porridge of Jacob and selling their prophetic rights. And anointing is being merchandised in Aso Rock, carrying our nairas, turning it to dollars and carrying it in jets moving out of the country.

Listen, this is the voice on the pulpit: all these men of God, who are telling Jonathan to continue because they are benefitting one thing or the other, you should question your apostolic, prophetic anointing. What the Bible say is that Samson did not know that the Holy Spirit had left him. Let them watch if the Holy Spirit is still in them.

Listen, they will begin to tell us this one is a Christian the other one is a Muslim. I don’t believe in that. Who is a Christian more than Judas? Did Judas not betray Jesus? Judas was not just a Christian, he was not just a mere apostle, he was a super apostle like a cardinal but at a time he messed up and Bible says his office, let another take. That is the normal thing.

The way Nigeria is going right now, the office of Goodluck Jonathan let another take. I’m not campaigning for anybody. I’m filled with tears over what is happening in Nigeria. Some of us who have nongovernmental organisations funding charity, I know what I’m suffering. The more they are looting our resources, the more they are rending you unemployed, the more some of us suffer the more. If I have been paying for the school fees of 500 people, it would now jack up to 3000, or more.
What the government should do, individuals are struggling to achieve. When there is no road, no power, all this fake promises… where is the power? That Onitsha Bridge, has it now been built? No. After 6 years, and Goodluck has what it takes to do whatever. He surrounded himself with hooligans. By the time he comes down, he won’t have anybody to work with. He played himself into the hands of hooligans.

My interest is about the wellness of this country. Nigeria must survive what we are passing through by the help of God. The same God who saved us from Ebola will save us from this bad luck season (shouts of AMEN from the congregation).

Look at it, there was a time there was an argument about pension fund – such billions. Who is talking about it now? Billions and we were hearing it… from excess crude oil money, where is the impact of the excess crude oil money? Now from oil boom, it has met a bad luck; it’s now oil doom. If my father will be my leader and my siblings will all die, let a stranger be my leader and let my family be. All I’m trying to tell you is that we have not entered into any covenant with anybody.
Last time, the First Lady came here. We are not partisan; we welcomed her. We did a spiritual drama here. Lifted four birds to fly up, the main one that should fly up refused to go. I did everything possible and that one is the healthiest of them all but refused to fly and the spirit of God said, don’t disturb him.

When God rejected Saul, David took over. Let me tell you, in the history of Nigeria, we have never experience bloodshed as we have in the time of Goodluck. If Goodluck means bloodshed for Nigerians are you waiting until your own blood is shed? (shouts of No from the congregation).
We need change, however God will do it. Look at the insecurity if you go to the northern part of Nigeria.

My fellow priest, my fellow pastors, don’t just stand up to attack this message, because you have mouth. Think well before you put your mouth, the voice is beyond your own contribution. Listen, are you waiting for your own church to be bombed before you speak out? If you go to Maiduguri, some parishes have closed down. Go to Potiskum. People no longer go to church on Sundays in many parts of this country. Now imagine a scenario where a president cannot fight a simple insurgence. This is not an external country attack o. It is not like another country invaded Nigeria. It is an intra distraction. And many of us are claiming that it was because Buhari said that he was going to make Jonathan’s government ungovernable. Listen; let’s assume Buhari said something like that, even though it’s not Buhari who said it. So if you are the president and somebody say something like that, will you not arrest such a person?

Culled from Premium Times

NIGERIAN MEN: 16-YEAR OLD GIRL WITH HER TRIPLETS IN PHOTO..

Helen Ezeh,16, who gave birth to triplets (two girls and a boy) @ a community hospital in Owhelogbo, in the Isoko North LGA of Delta state on December 27th. The children are said to be in good health.

OBITUARY: CHIEF (MRS) ALANI BANKOLE DIES ON DAUGHTER WEDDING DAY !

Former speaker of Nigeria's House of Representative, Dimeji Bankole, step-mum, Chief Mrs Adunni Bankole has passed away. Mrs Adunni, who was the Iyalode of Gbagura in Ogun State and ex-wife of  Chief Alani Bankole, died today January 3rd ,after a battle with an unknown illness. Tragedy of it is that, she died on the day one of her daughters was to get married.  May her soul rest in peace. Amen.

I QUIT MY MARRIAGE BECAUSE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE..MOJI OLAIYA

Nollywood actress Moji Olaiya says she quit her marriage because her abusive husband .. Excerpts below...

"I have no regret leaving my marriage but I regret not being under a man’s roof. It is not respectable in this part of the world. But I try to comport myself even as a divorced woman and as a typical Yoruba woman and to avoid scandal. I have a daughter to protect and cater for.

What was the cause of your failed marriage?
The marriage was not working so I had to quit. My partner went as far as abusing me so I had to leave to protect myself and my daughter.
You mean domestic violence?
Yes, domestic violence is just the right word.

Source: Vanguard 

IS THIS TRUE? REDEEMED MEMBERS ASKED TO COME TO CHURCH WITH PERMANENT VOTERS CARD!

According to twitter user @Miss_Jayla, Redeemed Christian Church of God goers in Abia Provinces was actually told to come to church with their Permanent Voters Card tomorrow. Is this true?...Read the tweets after the cut..

RUDE MAN: ASARI DOKUBO COMES FOR BUHARI AGAIN !!!

Asari tweets show clearly that he is a rude & not well trained. Read his tweet after the cut....

KEROSINE STOVE EXPLODES..KILL MUM & 7-MONTH OLD BABY

Raphael Adewale,7-month old boy, died in a fire incident on New Year day, at the Ijanikin area of Lagos State.
The fire claimed several lives, especially children. Raphael was youngest among kids that died. 

According to the state Director of Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, the seven-month-old baby was in the room when the fire started.
Fadipe, who spoke on the phone, added that the little boy had already died before help could come from neighbours. 

He said: “His father had gone to the church before the incident. His mother was cooking in the room when the kerosene stove she was using exploded. "

UNBELIEVABLE: MAN STILT LOVER'S THROAT FOR TURNING DOWN MARRIAGE PROPOSAL!!!

A man identified as Sikiru Henry,has been arrested  for attempted to slit his lover’s throat! Sikiru was  alleged to have taken his lover to an uncompleted building located at Alhaja Wosilat Street, Baruwa area , Lagos state on Wednesday, to carry out the evil deed but was caught.

Henry was said to have pinned the struggling lady down and started slitting her throat, when some nearby residents heard her faint cry and dashed into the building. They rescued her. 

A witness, Mr. Oluwole Olalekan who was sitting in front of his house when the strangled cry of Ajayi said: “The boy was using the sharp razor to cut the lady's neck and also trying to strangle her, so that she would not cry out for help.  It was exactly some minute to eleven and there was no light. I was sitting in front of my house to receive fresh breeze before going to bed when I heard a voice that shouted "Egba mi o." (Help me). I decided to trace the voice. On getting to the uncompleted shop, I beamed my torchlight, only to found the boy sitting on the lady’s chest, trying to strangle her.
"I shouted thief! The man dashed off! I started shouting thief! Thief! I ran after him. Neighbours joined me in chasing him. Luckily, we were able to nab him. We handed him over to the police. There were deep cuts on three different areas on the lady’s neck. We took her to the nearby hospital."

The suspect, whose T shirt was covered with blood, told our correspondent that the victim was his lover and that he saw her off to the street but could not say what prompted him to harm her.
His words:" Bola is my girlfriend. She came to me for money to plait her hair which I gave her N3000 to do and on my way to see her off,  I didn't know what came over me but I only realized I used the razor in my pocket which I used to cut my nail earlier to cut her neck. She had offended me earlier. I wanted to kill her and kill myself." 

It was also gathered that policemen had retrieved the razor blade used by the suspect from the scene, while the victim’s blood was all over the place.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in Charge of Ipaja Police Station, Mr. Ajewole Adebayo, said that the suspect has been arrested alongside some boys residing in the same place and investigations are on top gear to unravel the truth.
Adebayo commended the community for their efforts in ensuring that the suspect did not escape, assuring them that the case would soon be transferred to the higher authority before taking to court. He urged community to intensify efforts to support police.

When contacted the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Mr. Kenneth Nwosu said the victim is presently receiving treatment at a private Hospital, adding that she was responding to treatment. 

NIGERIAN JUSTICE: APPEAL COURT FREES ERASTUS AKINGBOLA OF N47.5 BILLION THEFT

That is Nigerian Justice for us all. A Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has quashed the 22-count charge brought against the former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on alleged that Akingbola stole N47.5 billion belonging to the bank. The report below...

Ruling on Akingbola’s application on jurisdiction, the court presided over by Justice Amina Augie held that the High Court of Lagos State presided over by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed against him by the commission

Justice Augie said it amounted to miscarriage of justice for the lower court to have dismissed Akingbola’s application challenging its jurisdiction on the matter.

“The appeal is meritorious and allowed,” she declared.

“I am convinced that the lower court refused to align itself with the decision of this court in Nwosu’s case,” she further held.

Akingbola and his co-defendant, Bayo Dada, had filed two separate applications challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the 22-count charge filed against them by the EFCC.

But, the lower court, in its ruling on 2 May, 2014 dismissed their applications.

Justice Lawal-Akapo had then held that the charges preferred against the defendants were within its competence and jurisdiction to determine.

Dissatisfied with the ruling of the high court, Akingbola and Dada approached the Appeal Court, praying that the trial court’s decision be set aside.

Delievering the judgement, Justice Augie declared that the lower court fell into serious error by not abiding by the decision on Nwosu’s case adding, “it is most unfair and is an injustice”.

According to her, the lower court has no option than to follow the decision of the higher court on Nwosu’s case.

“The point must be made that the decision of this court in Nwosu’s case was based on proof of evidence.”

The judge noted that all the charges against the defendants arose out of capital market transactions.

“Only federal high court is conferred with the exclusive jurisdiction to try cases of capital market transaction,” she stressed.

The appellate court held that the lower court owes it a duty to compare and contrast the documents cited by parties.

“It is its duty to examine materials brought before him. It is the role of the judge to do justice in adjudicating all the cases brought before him.

“One sided justice would amount to injustice and favouring one side.

“The proof of evidence was there but the trial judge at the lower court accused the defendants of not furnishing him with the documents.

“He has failed in his duty.”

Justice Augie further held that the appeal filed by the defendants has nothing to do with evidence, noting that the lower court failed to go through argument canvassed before it assumed jurisdiction on the matter.

She emphasised that the issue of jurisdiction should not have been toyed with by the lower court.

“I agree with the appellant that the lower court ought to have gone through the proof of evidence.

“There is no way a charge of stealing can stand without going through the proof of evidence,” she declared.

Source: PM News

GOOD NEWS; ESE WALTER IS PREGNANT...

 Ese Walter. I hope you can still remember her? ....Abuja pastor.....that London connections now!( story read HERE)  Please try to; I don’t want to give her that introduction you all know.  Ese got married last year to Benny Ark. The picture shows the work of God in her life.  Big congratulations to the couple. Another photo after the cut......

2015:QUEEN ELISABETH II HONOURS 3 NIGERIAN WITH MBE

PAMELA

The Queen of England yesterday January 1st, honoured 3 Nigerians with MBE in recognition of their services to their communities.  The 3 Nigerians are Dr Pamela Bernard, the recently-appointed director of the Nigerian Community Association Bedfordshire CIC. She received an MBE for services to the African and Caribbean community in Bedford.

While Professor Uduak Archibong , Professor of Equality at the University of Bradford has also been honoured with an MBE for services to higher education and equality.

Pastor Gbolahan Ayorinde Bright, MBE. Volunteer Maths Teacher Bright Maths Club, Dagenham Heathway Library. For services to Education in East London (London)

UDUAK

AYORINDE

FASHION & STYLE: FADE OGUNRO'S OUTFITS @ THE LAGOSCOUNTDOWN EVENT...

Beat FM On-Air-Personality Fade Ogunro's lovely outfits  by’ Tiffany Amber’ for her gig as a co-host alongside Gbenga Adeyinka @ the #LagosCountDown event which held Dec. 31st. Gorgeous?...

PARENTS BE VIGILANT! CHILD KIDNAPPER ARRESTED IN ABUJA

Bola Adeshina, a child kidnapper (pictured above) has been arrested by the Abuja Police command for kidnapping a 5- year boy identified as Ahmed from Sagamu, Ogun state. It was learnt that 31 year old Bola Adeshina kidnapped the little boy and was on his way to Kaduna to deliver him when he was arrested at the Utako motor park in Abuja following suspicious movement.

The Commissioner of Police for the FCT, Wilson Inalegwu, while confirming the arrest, said Ahmed has been reunited with his family in Ogun State while Bola will be charged to court accordingly. “The suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as sitting resumes. Meanwhile, the child has been reunited with his parents" he said.

 Source: Punch

SECRET COURT MARTIAL: NIGERIAN ARMY DISMISSED 203 SOLDIERS

The Nigerian Army has dismissed 203 soldiers after a secret court martial held in the dead of the night, for allegedly disobeying a direct order from their commanding officer.

According to one of the sacked soldiers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said  the soldiers were dismissed for asking for support equipment, following the army’s plan to convey them in a tipper for an operation in Bama and Gwoza, two strongholds of Boko Haram insurgents.

“So we asked for support weapons. No support weapon was provided. Our CO (Commanding Officer) said he would discuss with the GOC (General Officer Commanding) of the 7 Division at the headquarters. When he came back, he said we should stand down. We thought all was well,” our source said.

But the request made by the soldiers fetched them more than they bargained for. The next day their new CO, Mohammed A, a lieutenant colonel from 195 battalion, Agenebode, ordered them to submit their weapons and uniforms or be charged with mutiny.

“On the morning of 16 of August, after the GOC briefing, our commander started calling our names and he said anyone whose name is called should submit their uniform and weapon. He added that anyone who failed to do that would be charged for mutiny. We were surprised at what was happening.

“He started from the most senior soldier among us, a warrant officer who had served for almost 30 years. They asked us to go back to the barrack. It is a war zone and our weapons had been taken from us. Staying around was of no use so we left Maiduguri back home.”

The next order from the army hierarchy was for the soldiers to report to the 4th Brigade headquarters in Benin where they were detained for three months.

“They kept us in the fenced field at the officers’ mess in 4th battalion headquarters. When we first arrived at Benin they took statements from us and took it to Maiduguri. The original charge against us was for deserting but after our statements were taken they changed the charge to disobedient to particular order. They said we disobeyed the CO’s order. They seized our phones, we couldn’t communicate with our families for the 90 days we were kept in detention,” our source said.

After they were released on December 24, they were conveyed to their various units. The soldier said on getting to their units, a court martial was set up at about 11.30 p.m. where they were tried and dismissed. He said the next morning; they were evicted from the barrack with their families.

“It was dismissal without benefits. After 17 years in service. Even people that served for 30 years were dismissed without benefits. We had no legal representation.”

Army spokesperson, Olajide Laleye, a Brigadier General, could not be reached for comments on Thursday. Calls and messages to his telephone were not answered or returned

Culled from Premium Times

CATASTROPHIC CELEBRITIES WARDROBES MALFUNCTIONS 2014.....

KRISTEN BELL

The most catastrophic celebrities wardrobes malfunctions in 2004 that continues to haunt celebrities on the daily basis. While we mere mortals would probably blush a little bit about a nip slip or our skirts flying up due to a sudden breeze, celebrities have to deal with seeing their private bits splashed across the front page of every newspaper! But even if we feel bad, we can't help them........

JENNIFER LAWRENCE

RITA ORA

ZOE KRAVITZ

JENNIFER GARNER

2015:PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S NEW YEAR BROADCAST TO NIGERIANS

NEW YEAR BROADCAST TO THE NATION BY GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, JANUARY 1, 2015.

Dear Great People of our nation,

1.         I greet and felicitate with you all as we enter the New Year today. As we mark the beginning of this New Year, 2015, a new nation is being born.  A new nation is being born because of the foundations we have all laid, working together for the good and progress of our dear fatherland.   

2.        I join you all in thanking God Almighty who has brought us this far, for continually bestowing His Grace upon us and for guiding our great nation safely through all the challenges of the past year.

3.        This year, as in the year past, I reaffirm my commitment to work to ensure a secure future for our dear country and the generations yet unborn.

4.        Last year, we celebrated our hundredth year of nationhood. The year brought us further progress, challenges and fresh opportunities.

5.        We have contended with the normal challenges of nation-building and the unusual challenges of terrorism.

6.        But we have continued to vigorously confront those who seek to destroy the bonds of unity that hold us together.

7.         On this first day of the New Year, I want to pay special tribute to the gallant officers, men and women of our Armed Forces and other security agencies who have been in the forefront of the war against terrorism and violent extremism in our country and sub-region.

8.        I also commend all Nigerians who have remained vigilant and cooperative with our security agencies in the fight against the common enemy.

9.        We are re-equipping and re-positioning our armed forces to enhance their capacity to win the ongoing war against terror and insurgency.

10.    Regrettably, terrorists have unleashed much pain and agony on our land. They have made widows of our mothers and sisters and orphans of our children. They have shut down businesses, desecrated places of worship and brought untold hardship to both men and women. They have violated the culture and peaceful way of life in our country, which took generations to build.

11.     They have destroyed countless schools and displaced people from their communities, driving them into exile.

12.    I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed. As President, I feel the pain of all affected communities and families. I hear their cries and share their sorrow and pain.

13.    We will not forget; we will not look the other way. We have done a lot of painstaking planning and work to resolve the current security challenge. We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated.

14.    That is the solemn commitment I make today as President of the Federal Republic, and Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces.

15.    By the Special Grace of God, the Federal Government, under my leadership, has continued, in the past four years to lead our country forward, even under the most trying circumstances.

16.    The progress we have made in priority areas bears us testimony.

17.    Amongst other achievements, we have rehabilitated and expanded our rail transportation network, successfully privatized power generation and distribution, significantly reformed and increased local participation in our oil and gas industry, and improved nationwide access to potable water from 57% in 2010, to 70% at present.

18.   We have also made significant progress in improving access to primary, secondary and tertiary education by building and equipping more schools, including special Almajiri schools, and establishing additional universities to ensure that each state of the nation now has at least one Federal University.

19.    Our national economy maintained a steady growth rate of close to seven per cent in the past four years and millions of fresh employment opportunities were created for our people as a direct consequence.

20.  Recently, we launched the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) and the $100 million dollars Government and Donor Fund for Agriculture Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN) to fast-track the positive transformation of our agricultural sector.

21.    The Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) targets 750, 000 market-oriented young agricultural producers while the $100 million dollars Fund is to provide affordable long-term financing to support the development of small and medium agribusinesses in the country.

22.   This is in addition to a N50 billion Farm Mechanization Support Fund set up by the Central Bank to establish 1,200 agricultural equipment-hiring enterprises.

23.   Both funds will become fully operational this year.  Policies and programmes such as these to boost agricultural production remain topmost on the agenda of this administration.

24.   Being very conscious of the inherent perils of our over-reliance on income from crude oil exports for national development, we have focused on accelerating the diversification of our economy.

25.   The non-oil Sector which has grown by an average of 8% in the last few years, is now a major driver of growth in our economy.

26.   The 2015 national budget, which is now before the National Assembly, is targeted at deepening our efforts at becoming a non-oil economy.

27.   The budget also includes measures to ensure that the downturn in the price of oil does not affect our development plans and our national economy too adversely. We are adjusting our financial processes to safeguard our economy.  We are also taking steps to ensure that the poor and the low and medium income earners do not bear the brunt.

28.  In 2015, this administration will continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that attracts significant Foreign Direct Investment and promotes policies that ensure economic stability.

29.   We will ensure stability in the value of the Naira by striving to take away speculative behaviours that cause market exchange pressures.

30.  We will continue to build and maintain a healthy external reserves position and strengthen fiscal buffers.  We will ensure the Naira remains strong, and gives foreign investors the clarity and certainty that they need, to guide future investment decisions.

31.    We will continue to improve our payment systems and strengthen risk-based supervision mechanism for Nigerian banks to ensure overall health and stability of the banking system.

32.   We are introducing a broad spectrum of financial instruments to boost sector-specific enterprise areas in agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), manufacturing, and oil and gas to enhance our aggregate supply capacity, reduce poverty, promote job creation and increase the general well-being of our people.

33.   These efforts and other measures being spearheaded by relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, are geared to ensure a secure future for Nigeria and create a much more prosperous country, where people live more peaceful and fulfilled lives.

Fellow countrymen and women,

34.   As we enter an election year, I assure you that our administration will remain fully focused on providing good governance and the delivery of better public services to our people.

35.   The coming campaigns and elections will not distract us from our ongoing work to significantly improve the living conditions of our people.  And I urge all tiers of government not to be distracted as well.

36.   The elections are very important for us as a country.  Their successful conclusion will further strengthen our democratic institutions and place our beloved country even more firmly in the comity of truly democratic nations.

37.   Given the challenges that have characterized some previous electoral contests in our country, the eyes of the world will certainly be on the conduct and outcome of our fifth post-military rule general elections.    

38.  I reassure all Nigerians and the international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering.

39.   Our administration has worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral process in the country under my watch.  We will continue to do so for the coming elections.

40.  We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the Commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs.  This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections.

41.    National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free. The Nigeria Police has already established an Elections Security Planning and Monitoring Unit.

42.   I am optimistic that with the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of the country, our commitment to have a peaceful and violence-free election will be actualized.

43.   I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders. None of our political ambitions is worth the blood of any of our countrymen, women and children.  The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.

44.   Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents. Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.

45.   Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015.

46. After the 2011 general elections, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives and property. That will not be allowed to happen this time around. This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general elections.

47. All Nigerians, of voting age, are free to vote based on their convictions. It is our duty to defend and protect that basic right, and let no one be in doubt, we will.  

48.  Fellow Nigerians, I urge all of you to enter the New Year with renewed zeal and patriotism, to serve our fatherland with love, honesty, faithfulness and hope for a greater tomorrow.

49.   As I have always maintained, none of the challenges before us is insurmountable.  We must come together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.

50.  Nigeria is a key country in Africa. We must work together to maintain our strategic position and collaborate with others to move the continent forward. I call for peace in Africa and an end to all conflicts in our continent.  I urge all Africans to promote democracy in their respective countries to ensure faster development of the continent and faster economic and political integration.

51.    We will continue to pray and offer hands of fellowship and assistance to our fellow Africans suffering from the Ebola Virus Disease.  I urge all Nigerians to show compassion and contribute in whatever way we can to help our African brothers and sisters. 

52.   As we go into this New Year, I salute the indomitable and resilient spirit of our people in Nigeria and wherever they are in the world.  Our spirit of enterprise and the doggedness to succeed amongst all odds has been our strength.

53.   With our collective prayers and efforts, we will grow our economy and our people will become wealthier. Government will continue with programmes deliberately designed to create more jobs for our youth, to enable them contribute more to the growth and development of our nation.

54.   Let us continue our march to the future, towards the attainment of our collective vision of a strong, united, prosperous and harmonious nation – a secure nation for us and for our coming generations.

55.   I wish you all a happy and fulfilling 2015.

56.   God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

57.   Happy New Year, Nigeria!

58.   I thank you all.

B**BS SHOW OFF: ADAORA UKOH'S NEW YEAR PHOTO

New Year has begun! Work has begun!!  Dazed photo will be emerging!!! Here’s the photo of Nollywood actress, Adaora Ukoh, posted moment ago on her IG page to wish her fans a happy new year..... 

SHOCKED: FATHER OF MY DAUGHTER IS 'PAPA ROLLING-STONE'....SIKIRAT SINDODO

Controversial Nollywood actress, Sikiratu Sindodo, in a recent interview revealed that she is not sure if the father of her 17-year old daughter is alive or not! According to her, the old actress said, he stopped contacting them when her daughter was one! Excerpt below:

What are your plans for marriage?

I don’t need to rush into marriage, I am taking my time. I feel when it is the right time I am going to get married. I have a daughter already; I don’t see a reason why I should rush into a marriage and then rush out. I might even decide not to get married again; all I want to focus on is my child.

What’s the relationship between you and the father of your child?

I don’t know where he is, we had lost contact when my daughter was aged 1 and now she is 17.

What if she asks for her father?

I don’t think she will, she is very comfortable. She is presently an undergraduate studying Mass Communication. I am taking very good care of her, so I don’t think I need any man. I had her at age 21 and I am still here taking care of her, she is no longer a baby, when you talk about her father to her, she is always like, who is that? He has never been there at all.

You sound very bitter about him, why don’t you want to talk about him?

I was young and needed to go back to school, it is an experience I really don’t like to talk about. I don’t know if he is alive or not, it is a long time, 17years ago.

CHAIRMAN BREAKS THE NECK OF HIS STAFF FOR DEMANDING SALARY INCREASE!

Funmi Alao-Kawell, contract staffs with the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA),has accused the Chairman of the agency, Mr. Akin Akinbobola of assaulting her over her demand for salary increase from the agency.

Funmi-Kawell, 40, who was wearing cervical collar walked into the secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin assisted by her brother and lawyer, alleged that the football agency boss, who also doubles as the organising secretary of the PDP in the state, gave her a thorough beating and she had to be rushed to hospital before she could survive.

Funmi, claimed that she was beaten black and blue, in the process broke her neck and sustained other bodily injuries.

But Akinbobola denied ever beating his staff or being in the office on day in question saying he was away to Lagos for an official assignment and was still in Lagos as at the time of the incident.

NB: who then gave this lady beating of her life?

BREAKING NEWS: SUICIDE BOMBER BLEW HIMSELF IN GOMBE

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) in Tudun Wada, Gombe, capital of Gombe state.
 A security source who confirmed the blast to TheCable said it occurred some minutes before 9am, while members of the church were at a service to herald the New Year.

“The suicide bomber was targeting the church. But thankfully, it was impossible to access the main building. The bomb was detonated at the gate,” a member of the church told TheCable on phone.
He could also not confirm how many people had been killed or wounded, but he played down the casualty toll, saying: “It would have been worse if the main church building was hit. Thank God it only happened at the gate.”

DSP Fwaje Atajiri, the Spokesman of the state Police Command, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Gombe that a suicide bomber rode on a motorcycle and tried to enter the church a few minutes after 8 a.m.
“He came with a motorcycle and tried to enter the place but as a result of the security measures put in place, he was blocked and the bomb exploded instantly and he was killed,” Atajiri said.
He called on the public to remain vigilant and also report any suspicious movement around them.

An eye witness, Malam Aminu Muhammad, whose house is close to the blast scene, told NAN that he was indoors when he heard a loud sound.

“When I heard the sound, I immediately came out, and what I saw was horrible.
“I just saw human parts scattered everywhere with blood and pieces of motorcycle which the suicide bomber rode on,” Muhammad said.

Source: Vanguard