IMF Boss, Christine Lagarde explains Why she is in Nigeria

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde, touched down in Nigeria on Monday to commence a four-day working visit. 

Upon her arrival at about 3pm, Lagarde was received by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. After a brief interaction with the Minister and the CBN boss, Lagarde left in a convoy for her accommodation at the Transcorp Hilton in the nation’s capital.

La Liga in trouble if Messi or Ronaldo leave - LFP president

LFP president Javier Tebas has stressed La Liga cannot afford to lose its star players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at this stage as the value of the Spanish top-flight's television rights hugely depends on their presence.

The Barcelona star and his Real Madrid counterpart are widely regarded as world football's leading lights and Tebas believes there would not be as much foreign interest in La Liga without Messi and Ronaldo.

Kaduna State APC suspends Senator Shehu Sani

The Tudun Wada ward of the All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State, on Monday, suspended the senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial zone, Shehu Sani, from the party.

The senator is a registered member of the party from the ward.

In a letter to the senator dated December 27, the party said the suspension is for a period of 11 months.

17 dead, 41 injured in Madagali suicide attack - Adamawa Government

The Adamawa State Government has confirmed that about 17 people were killed on Monday when two female suicide bombers detonated explosives at a busy motor park in Madagali town.

The state commissioner of Information, Ahmad Sajoh, who spoke with Premium Times via telephone conversation also said 41 others were injured.

REVEALED: How Nigerian Soldiers Killed 300 Shi’ites And Buried Them In Mass Graves

The killing of hundreds of Shia Muslim members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), by Nigerian army soldiers from December 12 to 14, 2015, appears to have been wholly unjustified. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the government should be sufficiently independent and impartial to hold those responsible to account.

Human Rights Watch interviewed 16 witnesses to the killings and five others, including local authorities, who said that Nigerian army soldiers fired on Shia Muslim members of the group at three locations in Zaria, in northern Nigeria. The army said its confrontation with the Shia sect members who had erected a makeshift roadblock near a mosque resulted from an assassination attempt on the army chief of staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, whose convoy was passing by. In an internal military document seen by Human Rights Watch, the army said protesters appeared to be taking up positions near the back of the convoy.

CAN President urges Nigerians to stay united in Christmas message

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president,  Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has congratulated Nigerians on the Christmas and Eid-el-Maulud celebrations.

Oritsejafor urged Nigerian to use the opportunity provided by the season to reflect on the current challenges the nation is facing.

Punch reports that the CAN president called on Nigerians to strengthen their collective resolve to fight vices, such as ethnicity, sectionalism and economic hardship threatening to tear the country apart.

UPDATE: Adele’s ’25’ Album Sets another New Sales Record

This is just pure talent, really she is such a genius when it comes to music, have you listen to her hit song "Hello"? If not try and do. Okay back to the story, Adele’s ‘25’ just broke yet another record. It has now sold more copies in the U.S. than any album released since Adele’s own ‘21’ back in 2011.

Billboard release a statement below: 

Singer Adele talks record breaking sales, being a Mom in latest interview

In a recent interview with TIME, record breaking sales Singer Adele opens up about being a mother, not wanting to be a ‘brand’ and how Beyoncé is a ‘priority’ in her life.

Read excerpts from the interview below:

WATCH: Singer R. Kelly walks out of live interview after interviewer brings up his past

Lol ... sometimes this TV Presenters can be really annoying. R. Kelly who recently drop his new album "The Buffet", was on HuffPost Live to do some promotion when things turn sour. The goal of the interview was to talk about the album and answer questions from fans, but things went left as soon as the interviewer asked Kelly how he feels when people think of his past instead of his music.

At that point, R. Kelly got defensive and the whole interview fell apart before he ended it and walked off set.

Watch the ‘interview’ below.

Pro-Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu faces fresh treason charges by Federal Government

The Federal Government has filed fresh charges including treason against founder of Radio Biafra and leader of the Independent People of Briafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu ‎before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja.

The fresh case filed and signed by the Director, Public Prosecution, Mohammed Saidu Diri, for the Attorney-General of the Federation comes barely a week after Justice Adeniyi Ademola ordered the unconditional release of the accused since there was no pending charges against him about two months after his detention in October.

Nigerian Court of Appeal website hack by Pro-Shi'a group (Read Message)

The Nigerian Court of appeal website has been hacked by a Pro-Shi’a group. The message left on the site which is down at the moment reads:

Wow! Singer Flavour's daughter with Anna Banner is SUCH a DOLL (PHOTO)

One word Please ...

Photo: Five Star Music Boss, E-Money acquires 2015 Mercedes Benz Sprinter

Emeka Oknonkwo popular known as E-money splash some dollar bills to acquire this 2015 Mercedes Benz Sprinter. Before I say more, just scroll down and take a look at the functionality of this exotic car.  

Oya scroll down  ...

Zimbabwe to make Chinese yuan legal currency

Zimbabwe has announced that it intend to make the Chinese yuan a legal tender after Beijing opt to cancel $40m in debts, according to report from AFP. 

"They [China] said they are cancelling our debts that are maturing this year and we are in the process of finalising the debt instruments and calculating the debts," minister Patrick Chinamasa said in a statement.

Chinamasa also announced that Zimbabwe will officially make the Chinese yuan legal tender as it seeks to increase trade with Beijing. Zimbabwe abandoned its own dollar in 2009 after hyperinflation, which had peaked at around 500bn%, rendered it unusable.

Governon Aminu Tambuwal compensate family of hajj stampede victims with N500,000 to each

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto has announced a monetary donation of N500,000 to each of the 138 families of the 2015 hajj stampede from state.

A breakdown of the number of the victims showed that 114 pilgrims from Sokoto were confirmed dead, 22 are still missing while two are injured and receiving treatment. 

A statement issued by Tambuwal's spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the Governor announced the donation while receiving the report of the 2015 hajj committee in Sokoto Tuesday.

Photo: Desmond Elliot dresses as Father Christmas to share gifts to children

Nollywood actor turned politician came up with this beautiful plans to share love this season by  by knocking from door to door and giving out Christmas gifts within Surulere axis. Well, he was and still is an actor, so he played his role very well.

More photos after the cut...

Nigeria Match official dies during fitness test in Ibadan

According to report reaching us, Nigerian referee Basil Giwa collapsed and died during south west fitness test in Ibadan.

God rest his soul, Amen

Governor Fayose: Buhari Collected 2 Jeeps And $300,000, He Didn’t Ask Where The Money Came From

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot turn Nigeria to a one-party state. Governor Fayose said this in Ado Ekiti yesterday at the inauguration of 16 newly-elected council chairmen in the state.

“Our election was not inconclusive, we did not bring the person who did not contest to reap where he did not sow. We did not kill our candidate. The APC boycotted the election because they did not want to suffer 16-0 and 177-0 again. They boycotted because they did not want to suffer loss again,” he said. 

President Buhari apologizes to Nigerians over petrol scarcity

President Muhammadu Buhari has apologized to Nigerians over the current fuel scarcity which is plaguing the country.

Buhari expressed regret at the situation today, December 22, 2015, while presenting the 2016 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly. 

Photo: Police arrest Fake Soldier with truck load of "weeds"

One Emmanuel Abiodun who has been parading himself as military man has been arrested by policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Ogun State Police Command at the Redemption Camp along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with a truck filled with Cannabis, popularly called 'Igbo' in local parlance.

According reports in New Telegraph, the 29-year-old Abiodun was dressed Army camouflage uniform and armed with two toy guns, at the time of his arrest as he was escorting the truck, following a tip off.

Senate President Bukola Saraki’s full speech at 2016 budget presentation (READ)

An address by the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to the joint session of the National Assembly on the presentation of the 2016 draft appropriation bill by his excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It is my pleasure on behalf of my Distinguished and     Honourable colleagues to warmly welcome you and your entourage to this joint session of the National Assembly.

Mr. President, your coming to this hallowed chamber in person today to present the 2016 draft Appropriation Bill, bears eloquent testimony to your profound respect and commitment to the ideals of our constitutional democracy and the dictate of the rule of law.

Reno Omokri pens an open letter to Lai Mohammed (READ)

Dear Honourable Minister Lai Mohammed,

Greetings and congratulations on your recent and well deserved appointment as Nigeria’s Minister of Information. You may recall that we met on the set of ‘Politics Today’ in May of 2011 soon after I was interviewed by Deji Bademosi and just before you were interviewed.

The purpose of my letter to you today is in response to your statement made on Monday the 21st of December, 2015 in which you accused former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom I served as one of three spokesmen, of being responsible for the current excruciating fuel scarcity now subsisting in Nigeria.

President Buhari's 2016 Budget Address At The National Assembly Today (READ)

Read full address below:

I am honoured and privileged to present the 2016 Budget proposal. This is my first address before this joint session of the National Assembly. I have come here today, not only to address members of the National Assembly, but also to speak directly to the men and women who placed us here.

2. I know the state of our economy is a source of concern for many. This has been further worsened by the unbridled corruption and security challenges we have faced in the last few years. From those who have lost their jobs, to those young people who have never had a job, to the people in the North East whose families and businesses were destroyed by insurgents, this has been a difficult period in our nation’s history, lessons that we must not forget or ignore, as we plan for the future.

Davido flaunts some of His Exotic Cars

Award winning Singer and HKN Boss, Davido took so his social media page to show off some of his fleets of exotic cars.

Actors calls out organizers of Ghana Movie Awards for nominating “Beasts of No Nation”

The nominees for the 2015 Ghana Movie Awards were unveiled on Friday, December 18, 2015, with “Beast of No Nation” garnering 15 nominations (See Full List Here).

Ghanaian actor “Prince David Osei” took to his Instagram page to call out the organizer of the Ghana Movie Awards, Fredrick Nuamah, for nominating the movie.

According to the actor who was nominated in the “best actor” category for his movie “Last Night,” the awards should aim to honour  Ghana movies, not European, Arabian or Ghana Netflix movies.

FG to probe airline embarrassment in Bauchi

You must have read about the Aero 737 aircraft, at the Bauchi airport where passengers where entering the aircraft with a ladder, once the pics hit the internet, it went viral.

According to Punch Newspapers, the Federal Government has instituted a probe into the matter to ascertain why it happened.

The airline in the centre of the matter, Aero Contractors has issued a statement explaining the incident.

Beasts of No Nation leads Ghana Movies Award with 15 nominations (See Full List)

The nominees for the 2015 edition of the Ghana Movie Awards was announced on Friday, December 18, 2015 at the Silverbird Cinemas Accra.

"Beasts of No Nation" lead the list with 15 nominations. Other nominees include Yvonne Nelson, Prince David Osei, Deyemi Okanlawon, Enyinna Nwigwe among others.

See full list below:

Former Finance Minister Okonjo-Iweala in fresh investigation for N1.17bn fraud

Nigeria’s former finance minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, may have some questions to answer from a House of Representatives ad hoc committee probing the “suspicious” transfer to another account of N1.17bilion approved for a Federal Government agency.

Following a presidential directive, the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBA), received N1.17bn in its account. But around the time of Nigeria’s transition from the PDP to the APC, Okonjo-Iweala ordered the withdrawal of the money.

Genevieve Nnaji dazzles on the Cover Feature for ThisDay Style

Ageless and Multi-award winning Nollywood star actress, Genevieve Nnaji who is still promoting her latest movie, "Road to Yesterday", is the cover star of ThisDay Style.

This cover feature which was photographed by TY Bello is super dreamy. The shot of Genevieve in the finale dress from Moofa‘s Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week collection is epic.

See more photos below;

Bayelsa APC' s Statement: "We Have No Hand in Kidnap of Gov. Dickson's Sister"

The Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organization of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has frowned at a statement credited to Dickson Restoration Campaign Organisation, that the APC was behind the recent kidnap of a younger sister to Governor Seriake Dickson. 

In a statement signed by Chief Nathan Egba, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organization of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has frowned at a statement credited to Dickson Restoration Campaign Organisation, that the APC was behind the recent kidnap of a younger sister to Governor Seriake Dickson.