Eagles say Keshi will sweat to pick final squad

After the Super Eagles pulsating 2-2 draw against the Tartan Army of Scotland at the Craven Cottage in London on Wednesday, players of the World Cup bound team have started to take stock of what may be in the coming days with many of them saying they don’t envy Coach Stephen Keshi at this very difficult period.

We pray nothing happens to Enyeama – Rufai

By Tony Ubani
SUDDENLY, the raging optimism of the Super Eagles winning the World Cup in Brazil hit all time low on Wednesday after their 2-2 draw with Scotland at the Craven Cottage, London.

Jonathan’s failure to visit Chibok shows insensitivity – Ezekwesili

By LAIDE AKINBOADE
ABUJA – The leader of #Bring Back Our Girls Campaign group , Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, yesterday, said the failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to visit the family and relative of abducted 164 girls of Government

13 killed as vehicles catch fire after a head-on collision

Sokoto – No fewer than 13 persons, including women and children, were burnt to ashes in a Thursday night road crash at Tudun-Dukiya village near Dogon Karfe, about 10 kms to Illela town in Sokoto state.

Six killed as gold mine collapses in Ghana

ACCRA (AFP) – Six people were killed and three others injured when a mine collapsed in Ghana’s gold-rich Ashanti region, a local official said on Tuesday.
“They got a little bit deep and the whole (thing) caved in,” said Francis Dodovi, spokesman for the Ashanti

Nine dead in India passenger train crash

A passenger express slammed into a stationary freight train in northern India killing at least nine people on Monday, as rescuers worked frantically to free those trapped inside mangled carriages, officials said.

The express was travelling to Gorakhpur city in northern Uttar Pradesh state when it collided with the

Nine dead in India passenger train crash

A passenger express slammed into a stationary freight train in northern India killing at least nine people on Monday, as rescuers worked frantically to free those trapped inside mangled carriages, officials said.

Trial of Gadhafi's son in Libya continues despite international court objection

The trial of the son of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and dozens of other former regime officials resumed in Tripoli on Sunday, in continued defiance of the International Criminal Court that last week

Teacher nabbed for defiling 3 pupils in Ibadan

BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN — A teacher, identified as Olayinka Folarin, has been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for allegedly defiling three under-aged primary school girls, including two orphans, who live in an

‘We will force Jonathan to run for second term’

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
A former Security Adviser to the Bayelsa State Government, Chief Richard Kpodoh weekend said the Boko Haram campaign of terror in some parts of the Northern states is targeted at stopping President

Dangote endorses new cement classification by SON

LAGOS — Following the release recently of the classification of cement and its uses by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), leading cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement Plc, has expressed its

Lightning kills pregnant woman, man in Benue

By PETER DURU
MAKURDI—A pregnant women (names withheld) and a middle aged man, identified as Barber, were, yesterday, killed by lightning during a downpour in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.

Terrorism: Jonathan to confer with other African leaders on joint action

By Ben Agande
ABUJA— President Goodluck Jonathan leaves for Pretoria, South Africa today for high‑level discussions with other African Heads of State and Government on combating terrorism in Africa.

Okrika explosion: Amnesty Office dismisses MEND’s claim

By Soni Daniel
Abuja— The Presidential Amnesty Office has described as untrue the claim by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) that it is responsible for the oil pipeline explosion that occurred in

Missing schoolgirls: A matter of human rights and security

By Kolawole Olaniyan

WHEN President Goodluck Jonathan assumed office in May 2011, he identified persistent violence and crime as a major problem confronting the country. He promised to “confront this threat against our collective

Boko Haram Attacks Chinese Work Site in Cameroon

YAOUNDE (Reuters) - Suspected Boko Haram rebels from Nigeria attacked a

Chinese work site in northern Cameroon on Friday and at least 10 people

Postpone 2015 Elections by 18 months- Confab Delegate to Jonathan, INEC

By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- A Delegate representing the South South geo- political Zone of the country at the on- going National Conference, Chief Okon Osung has called on the Federal government and the Independent

Injury: Ronaldo pulls out of Espanyol game in warm up

(AFP) – World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo pulled out of Real Madrid’s final La Liga game of the season against Espanyol on Saturday due to the recurrence of a thigh injury.

Boko Haram kills one Chinese, abducts 10 others in Cameroon

(AFP) – A Chinese national was killed and 10 others were feared kidnapped after an overnight attack in northern Cameroon believed to have been carried out by Boko Haram militants from Nigeria, a police said

Boko Haram in fresh attack …as Jonathan, other leaders meet on strategy

PARIS – Boko Haram gunmen killed a Chinese worker and kidnapped 10 others overnight in Cameroon, piling more pressure on leaders meeting in Paris on Saturday to thrash out a tougher strategy against the

Enyeama expresses gratitude to Nigerians over award

Abuja – Super Eagles number one goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, on Tuesday thanked Nigerians for their support which made it possible for him to be named the best African Player in the French League I season.

This is contained in a statement issued by Ben Alaiya, the Super Eagles Media Officer in Abuja.

Nyanya bomb Suspects

 Declares military deserter, one other person wanted  • Offers N25m reward for their whereabouts

Yemi Akinsuyi  

The Department of State Services (DSS) has paraded five suspects in connection with the April 14 bomb

Fashola will address LASU tuition fee hike soon

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it would soon make a pronouncement on the lingering issue of tuition fees hike at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.

9jazone1 latestblog: Nyanya bomb blasts: DSS parades suspects (9jazone1...

9jazone1 latestblog: Nyanya bomb blasts: DSS parades suspects (9jazone1...: …places N25m bounty on 2 others still at large By Soni Daniel and Chris Ochai Abuja – The Department of State Services, DSS, has ...

UNILAG: Two Years After Professor Sofoluwę

The late Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, was an outstanding scholar, and an astute administrator. This article will be an overview of things there

Nyanya bomb blasts: DSS parades suspects (9jazone1)

…places N25m bounty on 2 others still at large

By Soni Daniel and Chris Ochai

Abuja – The Department of State Services, DSS, has

Jonathan, Chibok girls and the rest of us

THESE are uncomfortable times for President Goodluck Jonathan. Recently the terrorist group Boko Haram resurfaced in the vicinity of Abuja, detonating two deadly bombs in Nyanya while also abducting an unclear number of girls from Chibok in Borno State.

FG rejects Boko Haram prisoner swap for hostage schoolgirls

ABUJA- The federal government on Monday rejected conditions set out by Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau for the release of more than 200 schoolgirls held hostage by the Islamists.

Asked if the government would reject the suggestion by Shekau in a new video that the girls may be released

Chibok girls: No prisoner exchange with terrorists; Odumakin, others tell FG

The President of Women Arise Initiative, Dr Joe Odumakin, on Monday advised the Federal Government not to yield to negotiations that would involve exchanging the abducted Chibok girls with terrorists.

Odumakin gave the advice in Lagos while speaking with newsmen during a rally, organised by the group to

Missing girls: An act of terror against education of girls-Michelle Obama

The mass kidnapping of schoolgirls in Nigeria was an “unconscionable act” of terror against the education of girls, US First Lady Michelle Obama said Saturday.

Chibok: American Marines locate abducted girls in Sambisa forest

By Kingsley Omonobi, Henry Umoru and Victoria Ojeme-Abuja, with agency report

There were indications yesterday that the 230 female

Chibok Girls: Jonathan’s c’tee can’t achieve anything – Audu Ogbeh

By Henry Umoru, Assistant Political Editor
Chief Audu Innocent Ogbeh, one-time Minister of Communications; former National Chairman of

#BringBackOurGirls: Jonathan hails countries that pledged to help

President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the United Kingdom, France, United States and China for indicating interest to help Nigeria to fight terrorism and ensure stability in country.

Court remands trader, house wife over alleged adultery

Jos – An Upper Area Court in Jos, Plateau, has ordered a trader, Mohammed Rabiu, and a housewife, Asabe Mati, both accused of adultery, to be remanded in prison pending hearing of their bail applications.
Rabiu and Mati who reside in different parts of Jos, were charged with one-count of adultery.

Cure for HIV and AIDS is possible, says expert

Prof. Suleiman Akanmu, Head, Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), on Thursday said that through  continuous research the cure for HIV and AIDS could be achieved.

eight(8) questions you want answered about Nigeria’s missing schoolgirls – Washington Post

ABDUCTED GIRLS: VIEWS FROM ABROAD: The outrage, emotion, confusion

FROM a nationwide outcry, the outrage against

8 die in accident on Lokoja-Abuja highway

Seven persons, including a child, were killed in a road accident on the Lokoja-Abuja highway on Wednesday.

Other victims, including four women and three men, were said to be on their way to Okene from Kano.

Patience Jonathan to lead find-Chibok-girls protest

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has promised to stage a protest match to Chibok, Borno State, if the abducted schoolgirls were not released.

Jonathan said this in Abuja after a meeting with governors’ and ministers’ wives, female senators,

Rapper Suge Knight Confirms "Tupac Is Alive!"

The rapper calls Diddy a "Bitch a**" for saying he shot Tupac because "he's not dead".

Suge Knight has just revealed he didn't not shoot rap legend Tupac Shakur despite Diddy's accusation instead; Diddy was the one who plotted to Kill the legend!

Northern, Southern delegates agree on resource control

Clement Idoko - Abuja
Thursday, May 1, 2014

AFTER days of stalemate, the northern and southern delegates on the power devolution committee of the

Police arrest seven suspected armed robbers in Lagos

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi must resist pressure from the Nigeria Football Federation to  pick players he doesn’t need for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, says former Nigeria midfielder Edema Fuludu.

Police arrest seven suspected armed robbers in Lagos

The police in Lagos arrested seven suspected armed robbers between April 24 and April 30.

The command's Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Thursday.

How to enjoy maximum sexual impact (II)

A wife should lovingly participate actively in caressing, kissing and fondling with her husband’s body. While doing this, she in turn becomes excited and produces fluid that helps lubricate her vagina and makes entry of the penis easy. If the wife has a dry vagina, she may either use artificial lubricant or use her tongue to

I regret not playing alongside Okocha in Eagles – Friday Ekpo

Friday Ekpo was one of the most influential players in the domestic league in the late 80s and early 90s.

The diminutive midfielder won plenty of plaudits from the fans and made headlines after each game. His skills made him one of the most-sought after players in the country and it’s no surprise that he played for some of

Barber stabs graduate to death during Chelsea/Atletico match

When on Wednesday 29-year-old Saheed Badmus went to a viewing centre on Lamina Street, Egbe, Lagos State, to watch the UEFA Champions League semi-final match between Chelsea Football Club and Atletico Madrid, little did he know that was the last match he would ever watch.

He has turned my sister into a sex slave and...

Monica Taiwo
Friday, May 2, 2014
DEAR Taiwo,

May Day tragedy: Yet another blast rocks Nyanya, Abuja, kills 30, Thursday night

Barely three weeks after a bomb blast killed over 71 persons in Nyanya, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, another explosion claimed about 30 lives on Thursday evening.

By EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has accused those in President Goodluck Jonathan’s inner circle of being a hindrance to the resolution of the crisis posed by the Boko Haram insurgency.

In an open letter to the Islamist sect, whose leadership she credited with “more sense,” Senator Obasanjo, however, faulted the insurgents for betraying the true essence of revolutionaries in directing their venom against the lower class.

Dr. Obasanjo in the 860-word letter particularly cringed at the abduction of hundreds of school girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, saying their crave for sexual gratification is no excuse for the abduction.

While noting her surprise that more armed groups have not risen against the state given the social and living conditions of the majority of the population, she wrote:

“I am moved to write about the current state of affairs in Nigeria. My first inclination was to write to the President but since all letters to him seem to elicit only open derision and even more stupidity from his inner circle, I have decided to address my letter to a group also currently causing Nigerians a lot of pain and agony that may actually have more sense than the country’s leadership.

Dear Boko Haram

“The fact that you have taken arms against the Nigerian state is no surprise. The question should be why haven’t more young people organised themselves against the state?

"Even the fact that your motto, ‘Against Western Education’ is in a way reasonable given the fact that your leader, martyred by the Nigerian state had university education and found no reasonable employment but had to resort to thuggery for politicians to survive, as the story goes.

"He, like millions of Nigerian young people and college graduates, seeing a blighted future are doing anything to survive.

"They have become opportunistic desperados, almost sub€'human as the stepping on and trampling on each other to death at the Immigration employment debacle indicates.

'Where you're wrong'

"Where I think you have gotten it wrong are in two areas, if you can pardon my giving you some unsolicited advice.

"First, your victims are becoming more and more the people you should be attracting to your side. Take the Nyanya bus massacre.

"The people that live in Nyanya are usually the clerks, messengers and other lowly office workers that live out in relative slums compared to the rest of Abuja and take public transportation to work to receive monthly salaries they barely get by on.

"Consult any written work of successful revolutionaries be it French, Russian, Cuban or even the more recent uprooting of communism in Eastern Europe, to succeed you need the people to be on your side. Right now you are not achieving this.

"You are targeting the group you need most. This does not make for a successful revolution but you are making yourselves into nuisances to the people and in the end while the state, including its military machine may not be able to conquer you, your downfall will be alienating these potential allies, i.e. the oppressed and down-trodden.

"Secondly, the abduction of girls. It must be hard to stay in the bush as all male revolutionaries fending for yourselves with no sexual gratification.

Cuban example

"But again, reading up on past bush revolutionaries like the Cuban, for example, indicates that they were able to convince some women to go voluntarily with them into the bush.

"Somehow, revolutionary zeal does not include sexual abstinence and cooking and cleaning by yourselves.

"Reading must be hard for you since you hate education but the past is a good guide to the future and if you can’t read, you are done for in organizing or succeeding in most endeavours as most things have been done before and reading up on how it was done can only serve as good guidance.

"The parents of the girls you abducted are just trying to give their daughters a chance at having successful lives. Without an education there is very little anyone can achieve in this early 21st century.

"I know living in the bush; it must still seem like the dark ages but the truth is that even with the lack of jobs and opportunities for young people in Nigeria currently, it is still better to be educated.

"An educated university graduate who was selling food from a food cart ignited the Arab Spring which was spread by use of the internet which is hard to use if you are not educated.

"There are writings, videos and stuff you post on the internet which I haven’t seen. But think of it, you can only post and use the internet because some of you have some education.

"But in the end you have no control over the distribution of your advertising and recruiting information because as you may know, the internet is really part of the western system you despise.

Why you're succeeding

"The truth is that you have succeeded because the Nigerian state has failed to provide jobs and opportunity for its young people who you can now easily recruit. By disrupting education, you are adding to the burden of the people.

"You may say, but how about our religious issue? Let the truth be told, just as there are indigenous southern Muslims, there are indigenous northern Christians even from your epicentre in Borno State and just as you are zealous for your religion, I don’t see them giving up their religion either.

"The reasonable solution to this impasse would be for you to advocate for everyone to be able to practice their religion as they see fit with respect for each other's beliefs.

"Remember, a couple of centuries ago, all of our ancestors below the Sahara were all animists worshipping various 'gods.'

"This 'One God' - us against them situation - is a relatively recent one in our human history and you will be advised to let the originators fight it out and let your people be."

Wayne Rooney injury will not hinder World Cup selection

Wayne Rooney should be available for inclusion in Roy Hodgson's England squad despite a fresh injury worry.

The Manchester United striker has a minor groin problem and temporary boss Ryan Giggs says he is a doubt for Saturday's home game with Sunderland,

However, the BBC understands Rooney will miss the Old Trafford clash with the Premier League strugglers.

The setback comes just 10 days before Hodgson names his squad for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

According to Giggs, Rooney has also been ill.

"A few of the lads have had a bug," said the Welshman.

"Wayne Rooney has, Anders Lindegaard has. Wayne has a tight groin, too. Together with the bug, it means his immune system is down so we have to watch that.

"Wayne being Wayne, he wants to play and wants to be involved. We will monitor it over the next 24 hours."

As he prepares for his second game in charge following the sacking of David Moyes, player-boss Giggs hinted that Robin van Persie could feature this weekend.

The Dutch striker has been out with a knee injury since scoring a match-winning hat-trick in United's victory over Olympiakos on 19 March.

"Robin has been back training and looks good," said Giggs. "I'm just trying to keep myself fit and try to win every game. I might not get into the team!"

Giggs also addressed continued managerial speculation around United.

He has been tipped to become the full-time successor to Moyes by some of his team-mates, but it is thought United want a more experienced man.

Talks have already taken place with Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, who remains the leading candidate.

"Nothing has changed," said Giggs. "We will chat when the season is over. The main concentration I have is on the Sunderland game and then after that the remaining two games.

"I have a lot to think about and whether to continue playing, but my concentration is just on now.

"We will see what happens at the end of the season."

Michael Jackson’s new song to debut

Los Angeles – The first single from Michael Jackson’s posthumous album will premiere at the iHeartRadio Awards on Thursday, ahead of the record’s release later this month.
“Love Never Felt So Good’’, originally written and recorded by Jackson in 1983, is the debut single for

2nd Nyanya Bombing: Jonathan summons security chiefs

By Abiodun Alade
President Goodluck Jonathan has summoned security chiefs to a special security meeting following bomb blast at Nyanya.

250 feared dead after mudslide sweeps through Afghan village

Kabul -No fewer than 250 persons were feared dead in Afghanistan after a mudslide swept through a village in the north-east, police confirmed on Friday.

Police begin documentation of abducted girls

Maiduguri – The Commissioner of Police in Borno, Alhaji Lawan Tanko, has appealed to parents whose wards were abducted in Chibok to forward the names and photographs of the girls for documentation.