Baloogg's Blog : 2016-05-08

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Trial of Mexicans over drug lab stalled for lack of interpreter

The trial of four Mexicans and five Nigerians over the operation of a methamphetamine laboratory was stalled at the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on Friday for lack of a suitable interpreter.

According to a statement by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, during the April 25 arraignment of the accused before Justice A.O. Faji, the first interpreter produced by the agency was rejected by the defence on the grounds of bias.

Labour unions in tertiary institutions in Ekiti State have called for a downward review of taxes because of the present economic condition of the nation.

The unions said workers were already battling with accumulated unpaid salaries, wondering why the government wanted to make life more difficult for them.

The emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress on Friday took a decision to embark on “total strike” on Wednesday to protest the increase in the fuel pump price from N86 and N86.50k to N145 per litre by the Federal Government.

The meeting, which was also attended by all the major civil society organisations based in Abuja, was chaired by the President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba.

Senegal’s Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura has been appointed as FIFA’s first female Secretary-General, BBC Sport reports.

She succeeds former Secretary-General Jerome Valcke, who was banned from football-related activity for 12 years.

Another explosion rocked Chevron’s Makaraba line in the wee hours of Friday, making the second time the same facility will come under attack.

It was learnt that the Makaraba line had been abandoned before yesterday’s explosion since last week’s attack on the offshore Okan manifold.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Tayo Alasoadura, on Friday, ruled out the possibility of the National Assembly directing President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the current increase in the price of petrol put at N145 per litre.

Rather, the Senator representing Ondo Central told our correspondent in Abuja that the upper chamber would definitely, in form of a motion, discuss the development when it resumes plenary next week and suggest ways of cushioning the effects on the people.

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to disclose to Nigerians the amount his government has so far recovered from those who looted the nation’s treasury on May 29.

His administration will be one year on that day having been inaugurated as the nation’s President on May 29, 2015.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday quizzed a Senior Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Special Duties, Pastor Sam Iyiogwe, for alleged abuse of office, money laundering and embezzlement of public funds up to the tune of over N200m.

The alleged offence took place while he was Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State.

Globacom has signed up media entrepreneur, Adebola Williams, as an ambassador for the company.

The company said in a statement that the signing up of Williams, 30, indicated a new resolve of the company to widen its scope to include younger, hard working Nigerians “whose exploits in entrepreneurship and allied endeavours are providing inspiration to the coming generation.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says President Muhammadu Buhari may not do well in economy and foreign affairs, except in military matters.

“Buhari is not a very hot person on the economy and foreign affairs,” Obasanjo said.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said the Wednesday increase in pump price of Petroleum Motor Spirit was not a subsidy removal issue.

He said the issue was about foreign exchange problem in the face of dwindling earnings.

The world lost Prince on April 21, but fans won’t get to say a final farewell until almost four months after that! His sister, Tyka Nelson, revealed today that the singer’s funeral has been delayed until August.

“The proposed plan is to have our Memorial/Funeral/Tribute in August,” she revealed in a massive Facebook rant.

Blac Chyna's booty is growing as fast as her baby bump! Rob Kardashian's pregnant fiancée pull at her too-tight shorts. Pregnant Blac Chyna hit the pool in Miami in a floral getup Yesterday May 13, 2016. Time for maternity wear? The mama-to-be was caught tugging at her too-tight short shorts.

Click to see more photos :

BMW’s iNext electric, self-driving car is set to enter showrooms in 2021 as the brand’s flagship model.

The addition to the automaker’s i-sub brand, which currently includes the i3 EV and i8 plug-in hybrid, will be able to drive itself in many situations, Chief Executive Officer, Harald Krueger, said in comments prepared for the company’s annual shareholders meeting in Munich, Germany earlier in the week.

The Anambra State Government said it would close down substandard hospitals in the state.

The State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, disclosed this on Friday during a workshop organised by the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria held in Awka, the state capital.

The Federal Government on Friday alerted Nigerians to the outbreak of a killer disease known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in the country.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who announced the outbreak of the disease at a news conference in Abuja, said the disease had killed one person.

Two oil companies operating in Edo State have been slammed with notices of non-compliance by the state government, following their failure to remit taxes worth over N211m.

According to a statement by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service on Friday, the taxes were amounts deducted from the personnel emolument of the firms, which were not remitted to the state government.

A driver to a Port Harcourt-based lawyer identified as Jerry Igiri has been arrested by operatives of the Rivers State Police Command for kidnapping his employer’s four-year-old son, Goodnews.

Jerry (as he is normally called) had surprisingly joined a search party that tried without success for 17 days to locate the boy he handed over to his kidnap gang.

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said that it will not hold the South-West zonal congress of the party originally scheduled for Saturday (today).

The party said that it was recalling its officers already sent to Akure, the Ondo State capital, where the congress was originally scheduled to hold.

The Police Service Commission says it has approved the promotion of 2,058 senior police officers.

The PSC said this in a statement by its Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, on Friday.

It said a Commissioner of Police, Kaumi Ahmadu, was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police while 99 Superintendents of Police were elevated to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police.

Oil marketers have started getting import permits that will allow them bring in petrol in large quantities into Nigeria.

It was learnt that major and independent oil marketers started receiving their import licences from Thursday at the Abuja headquarters of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency.

The Ministry of Information and Culture has launched an inquest into how a memo from the ministry requesting for a loan to fund the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s trip to China was leaked.

In a letter signed by Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Mr. Peter Adama, and addressed to Acting Director General, NBC, the minister had requested for a loan of N13, 120,470 to enable his team to travel for an engagement regarding the promotion of tourism.

The United Nations Development Programme says the delay in signing the 2016 budget coupled with the slump in the price of crude oil will negatively impact economic growth and development in Nigeria.

The Country Representative, Fatma Samoura, spoke at the launch of the National Human Development Report for Nigeria, 2016 on Friday in Abuja.

It seems that Leonardo DiCaprio has found yet another model girlfriend. The 41-year-old is dating Polish beauty Ela Kawalec. Leonardo and Ela were spotted hanging out together on Thursday during a daytime date in New York City, after a late night of partying the previous evening.

Earlier in the day, Leo was doing some house hunting, and seen viewing properties with a male friend.

The Oscar winner was dressed down for the outing in a grey polo shirt and matching trainers, along with jeans.

He also kept a low profile with a backwards baseball cap and sunglasses.

More pictures below:

The naira has weakened further and now trades at 360 to a dollar at the parallel market. It would be recalled that only on Thursday it was at 341, but weakened further to 360 by yesterday, Friday.

The rise has been linked to the demand for dollars by fuel importers who are jostling to import the products amidst its increase.

Tiwa Savage Posts 1st Photos After Past Traumatic Few Weeks

Tiwa Savage is on her grind! After what must have been a traumatic past few weeks, it’s inspiring to see Tiwa working on her endorsements and at her music, plus looking great while at it.

In her first photos post, she’s in the studio with fellow Mavin Records artiste Korede Bello and producer Altims.

British-Nigerian born and Star wars alum, John Boyega reveals plan to visit Nigeria on twitter.

Top comedian, actor, Julius Agwu is so impressed to welcome his Friday with his adorable puppies. He actually took the Chihuahua species named, “Billy and Bella” to a walk and shared the photos on his Instagram page.

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Friday night said that the Naira had yet to be devalued contrary to speculations in some quarters.

The CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that the bank had not taken any such decision.

Chinese scientists on Thursday announced the first direct evidence linking the Zika virus to microcephaly in mice experiments.

Microcephaly is a medical condition in which abnormal brain development of a fetus or infant results in a head that is smaller than normal.

After being suspended from Twitter, Azealia Banks instead took to Periscope to continue her attack on Skai Johnson and Zayn Malik.

The star insists UK rappers can’t rap after she was dropped from London festival Rinse: Born & Bred – where she had been headlining .She was dropped over her offensive remarks earlier this week after she threatened to bring a gun to her performance in response to UK fans attacking her.

She said on Periscope:

Part of the Ogun State Ultra-Modern Shopping complex being built in the Itoku Market area of Abeokuta, the state capital has reportedly collapsed.

According to Channels Television, an eyewitness said the part of the building collapsed at about 8:30 AM.

The report also said that about ten people suspected to be workers in the building under construction are trapped in the rubble.

The Ogun state Fire Service have been mobilised to commence rescue operations, and the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun is reported to be on ground to coordinate the rescue.

See the photos from African Spotlight below:

The new logo was announced via a blog post, a longer post on Medium from head of design, Ian Spalter, and also a short introductory film. The kind that is usually intensely annoying, but actually this one is quite cute (warning though: the end has a lot of flashing and intense colours).

The blog post asserts that the “Instagram community has evolved over the past five years from a place to share filtered photos to so much more – a global community of interests sharing more than 80m photos and videos every day. Our updated look reflects how vibrant and diverse your storytelling has become.”

Neighbour Shoots Couple In Front Of Their House In Ekiti

An Ekiti State Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 remanded a 62- year-old man, James Sunday in prison custody for allegedly shooting a couple in front of their house.

The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Monica Ikebuilo told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 6, 2016 at Ago Aduloju area of Ado-Ekiti.

On Friday The 13th is known for being an horrific day but it was a day of smiles for R&B songstress Keyshia Cole. The “Love” singer shared with her thousands of followers on Instagram that she’s found her father after 34 years.

After taking a paternity test that confirmed reported boxing trainer Virgil Hunter is in fact her biological dad, Cole revealed that she became overwhelmed with emotions, and is currently in Oakland, Calif., spending precious time getting to know him.

Several news sites are reporting President Buhari has decided to devalue the Naira. Here’s an excerpt from SaharaReporters:

NFF bans Chris Giwa and 4 others for 5 years, orders his club Giwa FC to pay N3.9m fine

The Disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, today held an extra-ordinary congress in Abuja and made some interesting decisions.

Chris Giwa, the factional self-imposed leader of the NFF, was banned alongside four others by the football body while his football club Giwa FC has been ordered to pay N3.9m in total for offences committed against the League management company and breach of NFF rules. Read the press statement released by the NFF via it’s official website after the cut ...
In the matter between LMC Vs. Giwa FC on Match Day 12; Match No: 115, the Committee Rules as Follows:

Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins scored his first goal for Shanghai Shenhua. He scored two goals to help the Chinese clubside beat Qingdao Jonoon 5-0 in the Chinese FA cup 3rd round at the Hongkou Stadium today Thursday May 12th.

Star striker Ba Demba opened the scoring at the 11th and 39th minutes of the first half. Guarin Fredy made it three in the 59th minute of the second half, while Obafemi Martins scored in the 56th minute via penalty and added another to make it 5 goals in the 72nd minutes of the encounter.

Everton fans rejoice on social media after Roberto Martinez is sacked as manager

Everton fans have taken to social media to express their delight at the sack of manager Roberto Martinez. Spaniard, Martinez was employed by Everton in 2013 after having a wonderful season with Wigan which culminated in them winning the FA Cup, but after having a maiden successful season with Everton, Martinez has been sacked for having a terrible football year which has left the club 12th in the EPL despite spending considerably well in the transfer market.
The club has confirmed his sack on their official twitter handle.
Everton fans, who witnessed their club lose semi-finals in both the FA Cup and Capital One Cup this term, have been reacting to the news on Twitter – mostly with delight...

Read Tweets below :

According to this document shared by Sahara Reporters, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, asked the National Broadcasting Commission for a loan of N13.1 million to facilitate his trip to China. How can? Read full letter after the cut :

At least that’s what MediaTakeOut is claiming. Jussie Smollet announced yesterday that his time on the hit show is done a day after he took a bullet for his dad in the show and people have been wondering why he’s leaving. Read what MT O claims happened after the cut :

Forces in the presidency are engaged in a battle of wits with Senate President, Bukola Saraki over the appointment of an Acting Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Ripples can authoritatively report.
The current CNA Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa is expected to proceed on terminal leave from May 14.

The CNA is statutorily appointed by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), a parastatal responsible for recruiting and managing the workforce of the National Assembly.

A Baltimore man named Malcolm Jabbar Bryant has been exonerated and set free after spending 17 years in prison for a murder that new DNA evidence has finally shown he did not commit.

Malcom was arrested in 1998 when a ‘single eyewitness’ identified him as the man who stabbed a 16-year-old girl named Toni Bullock to death on November 20, 1998. He and his family always maintained he was innocent and tried all sorts of appeals and several different post-conviction procedures to no avail.

The Music Star posted a photo of his mother on his Facebook page yesterday and thanked her for all her wise words. The caption on the photo was, ‘Tbt , who sat and watched my infant Head while sleeping on my Cradle . Love you mom thanks for all your wise words’

NSCDC arrest carpenter for allegedly stealing 12 tents in Borno IDPs camp

The Borno Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday, May 12 arrested a carpenter who allegedly stole12 dozens of tents from IDPs camp in Maiduguri.

The suspect, 26, was arrested at about 5:57 at his residence in Railway Terminus area of Maiduguri.

The actor posted the photo above with the caption :

The 7th annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event held on Thursday, May 12 in Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto, Canada. The event was meant to highlight what men can do to help in ending violence against women. Continue to see more photos :

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken has returned to Abuja, along with Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Justin Siberell to attend the Regional Security Summit and discuss efforts to support Nigeria and the other Lake Chad Basin countries in the fight against Boko Haram. They will also meet with Nigerian leadership, innovators and entrepreneurs, and civil society on anti-corruption and economic issues.

Many NNPC filling stations are selling fuel at N145 per litre and it begs the question, why?

World Health Organization ranks Onitsha the most polluted city in the world

According to this database released by the World Health Organization today, Onitsha, Anambra state is ranked the most polluted city in the world. Aba and Umuahia also made the list.

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