The United States brands Nigeria as one of the world’s worst violators of religious freedom

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is recommending that the State Department add Nigeria and six other countries to its list of 10 nations that engage in the worst violations of religious rights.

USCIRF wants Nigeria, Central African Republic, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, and Vietnam be designated as CPCs [Countries of Particular Concern].

However, “non-state actors such as Da’esh [also known as ISIS or the Islamic State] and Boko Haram continued to rank amongst the most egregious abusers of religious freedom in the world,” according to the International Religious Freedom Report for 2015 released by the State Department.

MFM refutes reports that are members were arrested for Drug Trafficking

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Church, popularly called MFM, has denied that eight Nigerians arrested by Cambodian authorities for alleged drug trafficking are its members.

Eight Nigerians were on Tuesday arraigned in Cambodia for allegedly using the MFM premises to deal in illicit drugs.

Borno State | NDLEA Nab A Policeman With 126 Kilograms Of Cannabis

The Borno State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Wednesday that it has arrested a serving policeman and now known drug baron with 126 kilogrammes of Indian hemp also known as cannabis.

According to reports by Sahara Reporters, the Commandant, Mr Ona Ogilegwu told newsmen in Maiduguri that the suspect was arrested at Njimtilo checkpoint at the outskirts of the State capital by NDLEA agents.

Kano Floods | 18 People dead, Property worth N347 Million destroyed

The Zonal Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),  Mr. Musa Ilallah, has said that no fewer than 18 persons lost their lives from recent floods.

Mr. Ilallah also said property worth millions of Naira were destroyed by floods in 22 local government areas of Kano State in the past two weeks, according to a press statement.

According to him, properties including houses and farmlands worth more than N700 million were lost to the floods affecting about 1000 victims.

Okah brothers slams Former President GEJ with N5 billion Lawsuit

The Okah brothers, Messrs. Henry Emomotimi Okah, and Charles Tonbra Okah, have slammed a N5 billion lawsuit against former President Goodluck Jonathan and his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, for allegedly breaching their fundamental right to fair hearing with a press statement issued on August 8.

One of them, Charles Okah, also alleged that some top federal government officials visited him at Kuje Prisons in Abuja to endorse the second term ambition of the ex-President with an offer of one million US dollars, which he rejected. Their solicitor, Timipa Jenkins Okponipere Esq., in a statement, yesterday night, confirmed that he had received the instruction of the Okah brothers to sue both Jonathan and Eze.

Renowned Kaduna APC Chieftain Kidnapped

A top chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Dr. Abdulmalik Mohammed Durunguwa, has been kidnapped, according to a source in the office of the Inspector General of Police.

Durunguwa, who is a large scale farmer and businessman, was kidnapped on Friday in Kaduna at gunpoint.

Breaking: Nigeria's Dream Team cruise pass Denmark to qualify for #Rio2016 Semi Finals

The Nigeria U-23 team – the Dream Team VI, are into a third semi-final in 20 years after they defeated Denmark courtesy of a Mikel Obi goal, scored in the 15th minute of the first half. Mikel also provided the assist for the second goal for Osmalinspor’s Aminu Umar.

158 women, 2000 children die every day in Nigeria - One Campaign

Everyday, Nigeria loses 2000 children and 158 women due to poor access to basic healthcare, an international organisation, One Campaign, said.

The organisation also said 750,000 children die every year in Nigeria before they were five years old because of pneumonia, cholera, malaria and other preventable disease.

The Nigeria Country Representative of One Campaign, Edwin Ikhuoria, said the National Health Act could “save the lives of over 3 million mothers, newborns and children under-five years by 2022 if fully implemented by allocating 15 per cent of the nation’s budget to the health sector.”

Nollywood full of ‘I too know’ unprofessionals – Sola Fosudo

Nollywood actor, Sola Fosudo, has lambasted the movie industry for mediocre movies recently being circulated.

According to him, Nollywood has been reduced to unprofessional directors, actors, who feel they know it all.

The veteran director, speaking with the Punch said he rarely watches Nollywood movies because most of the films are not original, adding that most of the movies churned out are cheap and distasteful imitation of foreign movies adapted to suit Nigerian viewers.

Governor Dickson says he will not play politics with security in Bayelsa

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Saturday declared that he will not play partisan politics with the handling of security issues affecting the state.

Dickson, who spoke when the top echelon of the police force in the state led by the Commissioner of Police, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, paid him a visit, assured the Command of the full support of government in its efforts to rid the state of any form of crime.

PDP Crisis: Party Leaders snub Sheriff, set for convention

Governors, leaders and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party have resolved to snub the factional National Chairman of the party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, as they resolved to go ahead with the party’s national convention.

The convention holds in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, August 17.

The decision of the governors followed their inability and that of the Board of Trustees to pacify Sheriff to support the holding of the convention as scheduled.

BREAKING: Shots Fired at North Carolina Mall (VIDEO)

A North Carolina mall is on lockdown after reports of shots being fired inside. One person there posted this video of the panic that ensued:

$15bn Arms Deals: Committee traces N2bn to five children of ex-Army Chief

The Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP) has traced about N2billion meant for the purchase of vehicles for the Nigerian Army to the accounts of five children of a former Chief of Army Staff. The Nation reports that the report by the panel states that the children of the ex-Chief of Army Staff allegedly used two companies for the deal. 

Read report below:

Rapper Vector and Beverly Naya grace the cover of Impelling Magazine (Photos)

Rapper, Vector Tha Viper and rising actress, Beverly Naya stunned on the new edition of lifestyle magazine, Impelling Magazine.

Haba! Ladies what has guys done to deserve this ...

What kind of lipsticks is this?

Jhene Aiko come for fan who accused her of cheating despite being in an 'abusive relationship'

A twitter user accused and chastised singer Jhene Aiko for cheating on her husband. She said she shouldn't have cheated on her husband just because she is in an abusive relationship. Well Jhene Aiko tweeted her reply to the user. Another fan then attacked the twitter user for her tweet to Jhene Aiko.

FRSC to enlighten road users through women

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) says it will use ongoing annual women’s “August Meeting’’ in communities in Enugu state to intensify its road safety enlightenment.

The Sector Command of the commission in the state, Mr David Mendie, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Saturday.

Mendie said that women were in a better position to talk to their husbands and children against bad road habits.

Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO) urged Govt to enforce healthier, sustainable food system

The Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO) has urged all tiers of government to enforce policies on healthier and sustainable food systems in the country in commemoration of the 2016 International Youths Day.

The General Secretary, Lagos State Chapter of the group, Mr Adekunle Aderibigbe, made the plea in a statement issued by the group and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Nigeria Army trains 93 NSCDC operatives on arms proficiency

The Nigerian Army has said that it has taken proactive steps to ensure hitch free oil exploration in the Lake Chad in line with the presidential directive.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, made this known in Maiduguri on Saturday.

Ezugwu spoke at the graduation of 93 personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) trained by the Army on arms proficiency in Maiduguri.

Federal Government mobilises Construction Company back to Benin/Auchi Highway

The Federal Government has mobilised back to site Reynod Construction Company (RCC), the contractor handling the dualisation of the Benin/Ehor section of the Benin/Auchi/Okene highway.

It would be recalled that the company that started the dualisation work on the highway in 2012, moved out of site late 2014 due to non-payment. 

NDLEA nabs Man With N9.8 million in fake currency notes

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a certain Mohammed Adamu  in Kwara for possessing N9.8 million in fake currency notes in N1,000 denominations.

The NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr Apeh Reuben, said the suspect concealed the fake notes in a carton of noodles wrapped with cello-tape.

He said that the suspect was arrested by NDLEA Jebba Command while on transit to Kano on Aug. 9, 2016.

#Rio2016: NFF blames delays in payment of Dream Team's Allowance to TSA Policy

The Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy has been blamed for the delay in the payment of allowances and bonuses of players and coaching crew of the Dream Team VI in Rio. 

A statement issued by Ademola Olajire, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Assistant Director of Communications quoted the federation’s President Amaju Pinnick as saying so when he communicated with the team’s handler Samson Siasia, on telephone.

Lol! See What Happens When a Nigeria ask Rwandan President for His Daughter Hand in Marriage

Rwanda President, Paul Kagame, on Saturday, August 13 showed that he doesn't welcome jokes when it comes to his beautiful daughter after a Nigerian “jokingly” asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage on social media. 

Bar Baric, a Nigerian Twitter user posted pictures of the president’s beautiful daughter -Ange Kagame on his timeline, while making his “marriage” interest known to her father.

SHOCKING: See how a Head of Service stole Millions of Worker's Funds

Cecilia Udo Essien, the immediate former Head of Civil Service in Akwa Ibom state, has allegedly diverted millions of naira of state funds. 

According to Sahara Reporters, the stolen funds were supposed to pay the entitlements of indigenes of Akwa Ibom who worked with the Cross River Hotel Tourism Board.

Some of the affected workers from Akwa Ibom said that their counterparts from Cross River State were reabsorbed into the state’s civil service and duly paid off, but those from Akwa Ibom state were abandoned. 

#Rio2016: Chierika Ukogu finishes second in rowing finals but She didn't get any Medal (Read Why)

Nigeria’s Chierika Ukogu who has emerged 2nd in women’s single 100m sculls final D, unfortunately she does not qualify for a medal but her achievement would mean her ranking would definitely shoot up.

Nollywood Actress Ireti Doyle wants rape offenders to be castrated

Nollywood actress, Ireti Doyle, is of the opinion that men found wanting in such wicked act should be castrated. Doyle stated this in an interview published by Punch News on Saturday, August 13, 2016. 

She said, “In Nigeria, as in almost everywhere in the world, I do not think that rape cases are handled properly often times.”

To prove that he is not GAY, Popular Actor Swears with Koran on National TV

Lol, this is very serious ... Popular Hausa (Kannywood) actor, Adam Zango, recently went on Desmin's TV to refute claims that he is gay. 

Adam held a Koran and swore that he was not gay and will never be. 

JUST IN: Army apprehends two Niger Delta Avengers members

The Nigerian Navy, on Saturday, August 13 paraded two suspects believed to members of the dreaded militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA)

Parading the suspects at the Warri Naval Base, Warri, Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Joseph Dzunve said the suspects were behind series of attack on oil and gas facilities especially in Warri South West Council Area of the state.

Ibrahimovic claims he brought Pogba back to Manchester United

We all know Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not the shy and retiring type — and his latest Instagram post is cast-iron proof.

Manchester United landed the super Swede on a free transfer in the summer and followed that up with the world record purchase of Paul Pogba for £89.3 million.

Godfrey Gaiya | Nigerians deserve good football administration

Godfrey Gaiya, a former Chairman of House of Representatives’ Committee on Sports, on Friday in Abuja said Nigerian football deserved the best in FIFA’s ranking.

He was speaking against the backdrop of FIFA’s August ranking which moved Nigeria from the 70th position in the world to its latest 67th position.

Gaiya said the time was when Nigeria got to the fifth position in FIFA’s rating, saying “nothing stops the country from rotating now among the best 10 teams in the world’’.