Video: “Go And Die– Governor Oshiomhole Tells A Poor Widow

In leadership and governance, there's a place for 'Human face', and no matter the circumstances, widows to the best of my knowledge are integral part of our society and if we don't apply human face when dealing with them, am afraid we are far from getting there as a people. I can't fathom why the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will treat this widow like this and even tell her to 'go and die' when she's struggling to provide food for her family. I think it would've been far better to make her pay a fine for her wrongdoing than this humiliation.

One can try to excuse the act of the governor for some gimmicks like 'sacrifices for the greater good of the community' but, the approach and the choice of words by the governor is nothing short of wickedness, callousness, insensitivity and thoughtlessness to say the least. He should be ashamed of himself for uttering such words. He is not expected to say such things to anybody, let alone a widow

And to say he was a former NLC chairman who claimed he was fighting for the masses beats me. Words fail me.

This can best be described as the most shocking remake made by a State Governor to a poor widow. The heart of man they say is desperately wicked. Watch the shameful video after the cut

Amnesty Programme: Crude Oil Theft, Piracy, Not Sign of Failure

President Goodluck Jonathan

Ndubuisi Francis
The Presidential Amnesty Office has declared that the activities of crude oil thieves and pirates in the Niger Delta region were not in any way  indicative of the failure of the amnesty programme.

It stated that while the security agencies in the region are battling the menace, there is so far no established evidence of former militant agitators being involved in the criminal act, adding that “unless one wants to play the ostrich and feign ignorance, it is a known fact that crude oil theft in the Niger Delta is masterminded by international syndicates, which are now being seriously confronted by the Nigerian government in collaboration with friendly countries.”

Head, Media & Communications, Presidential  Amnesty Programme,  Mr. Dan Alabrah, in a statement issued Thursday, said “the Presidential Amnesty Office was not surprised about the verbal attack on the amnesty programme by the Interim National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed.”

Mohammed was reported to have in a television programme on Wednesday, described the amnesty programme as a waste of national resources and time, and that it had not curbed militancy in the Niger Delta.

“The best days are still to come for us” – Moyes says United will only get better

David Moyes has said that Manchester United’s best is still to come and urged his players to try to replicate their performance in the 5-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen regularly.

The Red Devils recorded their biggest victory under the new manager on Wednesday, as they qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions and Moyes says such displays should become frequent.

“It was a great result for us, but the best days are still to come. And there will be even better days to come. We played well and won well with some outstanding performances,” he said in his post-match news conference.

“To come to Germany and win 5-0, they have got a great record here Leverkusen, so that puts it in perspective as well. That is the most pleasing aspect: coming away from home, scoring five goals in what is renowned as a difficult place to come.

“The goals will take the headlines, but we had to defend and getting a clean sheet is as pleasing. The whole team performance: it’s the best we have played. This kind of performance is something I want to do regularly, not now and then.”

Brittany Murphy's mom says she was not murdered

Sharon Murphy, mother of the late actress Brittany Murphy, Monday blasted claims by Brittany's estranged biological father that the "Clueless" star had been murdered.

In an open letter to The Hollywood Reporter, Murphy decried 87-year-old Angelo Bertolotti's assertion that a lab test on a hair sample showed high concentrations of heavy metals, suggesting poisoning. "His claims are based on the most flimsy of evidence and are more of an insult than an insight into what really happened," she wrote.

Accusing the laboratory Bertolotti used of being "an Internet site that farmed out the actual testing and then wrote horribly untrue things under the guise of 'analysis,' " Murphy noted that "a sample of hair is not considered dependable unless it is backed up by tests of tissue and blood and other analysis -- which he [Bertolotti] did not do

Jennifer Love Hewitt gives birth to baby girl after secretly marrying co-star Brian Hallisay

Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt and her "The Client List" co-star Brian Hallisay are the proud parents of a baby girl.

Hewitt's publicist Sarah Fuller said in an email statement the couple is "thrilled" over Tuesday's birth of Autumn James Hallisay.

The couple is also celebrating being newlyweds. Fuller says they were recently married but did not provide further details.

"The Client List" was recently canceled by Lifetime after its second season. Hewitt and Hallisay played husband and wife.

Us Weekly first reported the news.

NDLEA Arrests Suspect with N81 Million worth of Cocaine

NDLEA logo

Ibrahim Shuaibu

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives in Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) have  paraded Maduagwu Nnaemeka Charles who was nabbed with 3 kilogrammes  of high-grade pure cocaine worth about N81 million.

The Commandant of the agency in-charge of MAKIA, Ambrose Umoru, said the dangerous drug if diluted could make up to 9 kilogrammes.

He said Maduegwu was arrested during screening of passengers of Egypt Air Flight No. MS 879.

He said  “the suspect had boarded Ethiopian Airline flight No. ET 507 from Sao Paulo-Brazil and transited to Cairo, Egypt before arriving Kano via the Egypt Airline before luck ran out on  him.”

Again, Jonathan Urges ASUU to Call off Strike

Opening universities not within Pro-Chancellors’ powers,” says union

By Tobi Soniyi, Damilola Oyedele   and Ademola Adeyemo
                   
For the umpteenth time, President Goodluck Jonathan, Wednesday pleaded with the striking university lecturers to call off their over-four month strike and return to the classrooms and partner government in the task of reforming the education sector.

The president who spoke at the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Law School (NLS) in Abuja called on the striking lecturers to appreciate government's commitment to the education sector.
Represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) the president called on Acdemic Staff Union of University (ASUU) to partner government to find solution to the problem facing the sector.

The plea came on the same day   ASUU members dismissed the order  of  Universities’ Pro-Chancellors  which directed that all universities be opened forthwith. The union said the Pro-chancellors did not have such powers to order the re-opening of the universities,

The president urged stake holders in the judiciary  to consider whether the present centralised training  of lawyers was ideal or to have a centralised professional examination body. 
The president said the main work of building quality lawyers is rested so much on the nation's universities.
Government, according to him, is also making concerted efforts to enhance  infrastructural facilities in all the campuses of the Nigerian Law School in order to engender a conducive learning environment.

Also speaking, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Muhktar,  called on the federal government to invest in legal education in order to have a  crime-free society.
The CJN further called on students of the law school and legal practitioners to strive to acquire the actual knowledge that would help them excel in their chosen career.
She however noted that the law school was instrumental to the improvement of the nation's judiciary, just as she called on lawyers to be worthy in learning and character.

In his speech, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Okey Wali (SAN) stated that there was a need for the law school to celebrate its 50 years of existence going by the achievements recorded so far.

He also called for improvement of the law school curriculum considering the happenings around the world.
Wali also said the time allotted for chamber and court attachment be extended and that more teachers should be employed.
The chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Chief O.C.J Okocha (SAN) commended the staff of the law school for a job well done adding that they had demonstrated a sense of hard work.

He however, revealed that the council had put up a committee to review the curriculum for all the law faculties in the nation's universities so as to enhance the quality of lawyers training.
Also speaking, the Director General of the NLS, Dr. Mamman Tahir, said the law school had produced 88,060 lawyers in 50 years of its existence.

Mamman said funding had been problematic and characterised by low capital allocation.
The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian federal universities, after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Tuesday night, had directed that all public universities in Nigeria be re-opened to students immediately.
The directive of the Pro-chancellors was based on reports that over 60 percent of ASUU members were favourably disposed to the suspension of the strike, even as some universities have  already pulled out of the strike.

But the Chairman of the University of Abuja Chapter, ASUU Dr. Clement Chup, in a telephone conversation with THISDAY yesterday, said it is not the responsibility of the Pro-Chancellors to open the universities.
“The issue of opening or closing a university lies with the Senate of the institution. They cannot be usurping other people’s powers. It is wrong. Let us see how this will go,” he said.

However, the Secretary General of the Non Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Comrade Peters Adeyemi however noted that the Pro-Chancellors may be acting on the directives of the Federal Government who is the proprietor of the Federal Universities.
Speaking with THISDAY in a telephone conversation said if the Pro-Chancellors who are the Chairmen of the Governing Boards and who are appointed by the President give such order, then it is legitimate.
“But have they resolved the crises? That is the question. If the issues are not resolved, would the pro-chancellors go and start teaching the students even if the universities re-open?” he queried.

“I cannot speak for ASUU on whether they would go back to the classrooms based on this directive,” Adeyemi added.
Adeyemi however cautioned that other unions in the tertiary system should not be short-changed in the process of the government settling with ASUU.
“We want the universities to reopen. We are not on strike but we also have our grievances, so in the process of settling ASUU, the government should settle grievances of other unions once and for all, if not, it would still amount to more crises in the sector. The government must not unsettle or sacrifice NASU, SSANU and other unions in appeasing ASUU,” he said.

Meanwhile, ASUU yesterday berated the supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike over his comment that the union was making 'new outrageous demands' but ASUU described it as absolute lie.

The Union said it wanted President Goodluck Jonathan to facilitate the endorsement of resolutions reached with him and signed by high ranking government official preferably the Attorney-General of the federation but not a permanent secretary.

"We are not making fresh demands. In fact, the NEC of the union would have suspended the strike but the concerns of our congresses were that many of the things agreed to with Mr President during the November 4th meeting were not included in the letter signed by a permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Mark John Nwobiala."

New Owners of Power Firms Complain of Challenges

Prof Chinedu Nebo, Power Minister
• As NERC pledges to address problems 
• Electricity generation hits 4,000mw

BY Chineme Okafor 

Barely 27 days after taking over the operations of successor generation and distribution companies of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), core investors of the privatised firms have finally come up with complaints over the actual operational challenges facing them.

They made their complaints known to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) at a meeting yesterday in Abuja.

The meeting was the first since they were physically handed over their electricity assets by the federal government on November 1.

According to them, their reality checks on the power systems they took over indicated that the system seems to be “upside down.”

One of such investors who expressed his discovery is  the Managing Director of Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Dr. Jamil Gwamna. He said the market rules, especially with regards to the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO-2) had been turned upside down.

Gwamna said: “In terms of complying with rules especially those in MYTO, the reality on the ground in Kano Disco is that all the assumptions in the MYTO model have been turned upside down. Load allocation to Kano is so bad that for the last three days we are getting as low as 40 megawatts (MW) to cover Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States. Not only that, about 20MW goes to Niger Republic.

"How on earth will I make money? We are not even near the assumption of MYTO because MYTO says I should be allocated eight per cent of the total generation capacity, which means if the generation is 2,000MW, Kano should be allocated at least 160MW. Yesterday, our allocation was 80MW and out of that 25MW is going to Niger Republic. So, I think these are serious issues which we have found on the ground and they should be addressed urgently.”

Also, the Managing Director of Benin Distribution Company, Funke Osibodu, said: “There is confusion in the public and we have to as a group address the confusion in the public. For instance, the public believe that they are not supposed to pay their bills until January, they believe that the debt they owed before should be written off and that they should stand in front of you and collect free meters.”

“In the past couple of weeks, there have been problems nationwide. The public now believe that when they don’t have power, the new owners do not know what they are doing when in reality it is because of lack of gas,” Osibodu added.

Other officials who spoke on behalf of Egbin and Geregu power plants accused the Market Operator (MO) and System Operator of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) of not adhering to the MYTO-2 agreements and provisions in the interim rules, stating that the MO does not use the official rate stipulated in the interim rules.

However, the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, in his response, assured that all issues raised would be addressed by the regulator, adding that the essence of calling the meeting was to bring the operators together to craft out interventions that will address the problems.

He said Yola and Kano distribution companies have perennially had low power allocation problem, stating that although the MYTO-2 provides for a particular allocation to all distribution companies, they are not getting enough power to supply.

Part of the reasons he said, are based on transmission while some are based on capacity of the distribution companies to receive.

He said the regulator will look at the commercial framework and find ways of ensuring that the concerned distribution company that is receiving less power is also to have their revenue to service their operation.

Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday announced that the nation’s power generation now hovers between 3,800 mega watts and 4,000 mega watts.
TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Seun Olagunju, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview.

She said the restoration of power to 4,000 mega watts followed the repairs of the vandalised pipeline supplying gas to Okpai power plant in Delta State.

Olagunju said the 450 megawatts from Okpai power plant lost during the period of the damage had been returned into the national grid since Monday.

She reassured Nigerians that power supply would be stable after the completion of repair work on the gas pipelines.

The TCN spokesperson reiterated the federal government’s determination to improve power supply across the country.
She said the federal government was also collaborating with states to implement the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).

FG Declares War on ASUU, Orders VCs to Advertise for New Staff

The Federal Government on Thursday directed the immediate re-opening of all Federal Universities in Nigeria. It also directed  that the position of any academic staff who does not resume by December 4th, 2013 should be declared vacant and advertised.

“No plan to sell Nigeria Estate in New York “

Abuja -  The Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations (UN) in New York says there are no plans to sell the Nigerian Estate in Tarrytown, New York,
The clarification is contained in a brief by the mission dated Nov. 22 and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
It came on the heels of the decision by the House of Representatives to conduct a probe into the alleged plans by the mission to sell the property.
The estate, located on 548 S. Broadway, Westchester County Village of Tarrytown, New York, has served as the official residence of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN since 1961.
The mission, currently headed by Prof. Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, wrote that the estate was still in its full possession.
“The Nigerian Estate in Tarrytown remains the property of the Federal Government and in full possession of the Permanent Mission.
“It has not been sold, neither is there contemplation of doing so as being falsely and mischievously peddled.
“The estate requires extensive strategic renovation and upgrade to bring it up to the standard of similar properties in New York and befitting of Nigeria’s international image.’’
The mission argued that there were well established Federal Government procedures and regulations governing the disposal of public properties.
It noted that the regulations were even more stringent in respect of properties abroad.
“The sale of property abroad would involve transfer of ownership which must be registered with the host country for proper documentation.
“Above all, it is not in the mandate of missions to negotiate the disposal of public property’’, it said.
The estate, which sits on 16.6-acre land, was built in 1906 and purchased by the Federal Government from Phillip M.H. Savory and
Gladys G. Savory on June 14, 1961 at the cost of $234,000 dollars.
However, the mission claimed that since its purchase, the estate had not undergone any major renovation and remained in a deplorable condition.
In 2009, the mission said it obtained the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ approval for an independent evaluation conducted by a team of architects and engineers to assess the condition of the estate.
“The independent evaluators recommended two options for the upgrade of the property namely: new design and development and renovation of existing structures.
“While the preliminary estimated cost for the first option is $16.9 million, the estimated cost of the second option is $12.8 million.
The mission said it settled for the first option following the recommendation of the independent evaluators.
It added that the details of the upgrade of the property would include extension works in the grounds, including construction of a new
guest wing and addition of a presidential wing.
The building plan also included the construction of an all season access road leading from the estate to the city road.
In 2011, the mission said the federal government appropriated the sum of $1.6 million dollars as capital allocation to the mission to commence Phase 1 of the project.
However, out of this amount, only $1.11 million dollars representing 65% of the appropriated amount was received by the mission.
“The money available was therefore grossly inadequate for the purpose as initially estimated by the independent evaluators.
“However, in compliance with headquarters’ directive, the Ministerial Tenders Board (MTB) awarded the contract for the first phase of the renovation project to Messrs Grace Homes Construction LLC, at the budgeted sum of US$1.6 million dollars.
“As the final amount that was received fell short of the initial figure, Messrs Grace rejected the contract offer.
“As a result of this, the MTB was mandated to source for a replacement.’’
According to the mission, the second and third bidders, when contacted to undertake the project, also declined for the same reason.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that the mission has not been complacent on this matter or negligent of its responsibilities.
“On the contrary, the MTB had advertised in May 2013 for a consultant for the project and is currently re-assessing the project with
a view to recommending a reputable company to undertake renovation of the Estate.
“The remitted sum of 1.11 million dollars, although far from sufficient to cover the first phase of the work, would be utilised

BREAKING: Asari Dokubo released

The activist was arrested on Tuesday.
A Niger-Delta armed activist, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has been released by security officials in Benin Republic. Mr. Dokubo-Asari was arrested in the neighbouring countryon Tuesday, his lawyer Festus Keyamo, said.
Mr. Keyamo confirmed the release to PREMIUM TIMES in a brief text message on Thursday morning, although he did not state the exact time and details of the release.
The lawyer had on Wednesday evening asked President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene and ensure the armed activist is released from Benin. It is not clear if the presidency played any role in the eventual release of one of his most vocal supporters.
Mr. Dokubo-Asari had threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable should Mr. Jonathan not be re-elected in 2015.

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2015 Elections: FEC Okays Purchase Of 70,000 Permanent Voters’ Card Readers

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday approved the purchase of 70,000 smart card readers for the 2015 election.

The readers will enable the authentication of permanent voters’ cards at polling units during the election.

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who briefed journalists after the FEC meeting referred to the readers as Permanent Voter Cards Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Readers.

He stressed the need to acquire 160,000 smart card readers to authenticate the permanent voter cards at the polling units during the 2015 general election.

“This is to ensure free, fair and credible elections’’, Mr. Maku said.

In her briefing, the Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson, disclosed that council approved a draft National Addressing Policy.

She said the policy would set out the framework for the development and implementation of the National Addressing Policy System in Nigeria.

According to Ms. Johnson, the policy would assist government to plan and implement public policies and services and fight against natural disasters and diseases, including emergency management

She said the policy would also reinforce national and international security in line with the United Nations Universal Postal Union’s Doha Declaration.

The minister said the policy would enhance fundamental steps in connecting people to public and private services, human rights and setting the foundation on which critical national policies could be built.

(NAN)

Photo | Don Jazzy and D Banj Working On A New Single

I see the two are back in business.
Don jazzy and D banj were seen holding hands and talking at Iceprince – Fire of zamani concert last Saturday in Lagos.

Below is the photo of Don Jazzy in the studio with US rapper Wale Folarin and D banj.

Is there a new collabo coming soon? We don’t know yet until then we will keep you posted with whatever it is they are ‘cooking up’ in the studio.

Stay with us for more info.

2face In Search Of Missing Wife

On Instagram, Tuface, the superstar received a message from his wife, Annie who is in America to deliver her second baby, 2face's 7th .

Annie's message reads "Wish dat u were here wit me!#bt we stock whr we r,#so far# this long distance is killing me #can u hear me cryinggggg" singing Brandy's ***long distance*** sigh"

2face in his respond says "Anybody seen this girl?#missingthings As you can see, it's a thing of joy to be in love and be truly in love...

I envy you guys!

Olusegun Dada: In Nigerian politics, passivity is a grievous crime (Y! Politico)

You’re blind for thinking that the corruptly rich will not do everything in their power to keep their stranglehold on you; you cannot be passive while the missiles of corruption fall on your head and on the heads of your children.

Let me put it this way: I have seen many things in my life. I have seen certain people who treat passivity as some kind of heroic action. There are people who say, “I just want my job, my family, and my religion and I will leave politics out of my life.” Passivity isn’t heroic, it’s cowardly! It’s the lazy man’s easy way out. But I see it beyond lazines

Why Asari Dokubo was arrested – Keyamo

News broke yesterday of the arrest of former militant and Niger Delta activist, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari.

‘Asari Dokubo’, as he is popularly called, was arrested yesterday by police officers at Lubeleyi roundabout in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Tiwa Savage and Hubby Make First Post-Wedding Appearance

Barely 72 hours since Tiwa Savage got married to her hubby/manager Tunji ‘Tee-Billz’ Balogun but the couple are back to work.

Skipping on an early honeymoon, they were spotted by NET correspondent at the premiere of the MTV Shuga TV series which held at Silverbird Cinemas November 26, 2013.

Five rebel governors join APC

The New Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday formally announced that it had merged with the opposition All Progressives Congress.

The decision  was taken at a  meeting  between   leaders  of the APC and the New PDP   at  the Kano State  Governor’s residence  in Abuja.

Fraud: Former Concord Newspapers Boss Arrested

Former Managing Director of the defunctConcord Newspapers, Dr. Doyin Abiola has been arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos, for fraud.

A statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ngozi Isintume-Agu said that the Financial Malpractices Investigation Unit (FMIU) of Special Fraud Unit (SFU) said that between 2006 and 2008, as a Director of the Integrated Microfinance Bank, Dr. Abiola granted to herself without collateral and approval from the Management, the sum of N26,611,246.48.

Dr. Abiola, of 42/46 Moshood Abiola Crescent, Ikeja, Lagos, and wife of the late Chief Moshood Abiola, is one of four Managing Directors or Directors of Integrated Microfinance Bank (IMFB) located at 6A Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, who were arrested and charged by the SFU.

The others are Akinteye Simon Ademola, Dr. Jerry Orimovuohoma and Oladapo Bello.

The SFU said the four officials of IMFB unauthorized credit facilities to the tune of N327,566,000 to themselves and other related companies without collateral and that the loans are still outstanding.  In the forensic investigation conducted by FMIU of SFU, the Directors were found wanting in the discharge of their duties while on the Board of Integrated Microfinance Bank (IMFB).

· Ademola of Plot 7, block 90, Mobolaji Ogunde Crescent, Magodo GRA Phase 2, Lagos converted the sum of N131.176 million to his personal use without approval.

· Orimovuohoma of 129B Oba Ladejobi Street, GRA, Ikeja granted unauthorized credit facility to the tune of N29,200,000.00 to himself without collateral.

· Bello of 23/25 Ijora Causeway, Ijora, Lagos recklessly granted the sum of N3,200,000.00 to himself without collateral.

“The bank liquidity was greatly affected with the sum the directors took,” the statement said.    The case comes up at the Federal High Court on December 10.

'Thor' hammers out another box office victory

LOS ANGELES: Marvel superhero Thor hammered rivals for a second straight weekend at the North American box office, industry estimates showed Sunday.

"Thor: The Dark World," the latest blockbuster based on Marvel's iconic comic book character, took a hefty $38.5 million in its second weekend, figures from Exhibitor Relations showed.

Move to stop citizens from taking over $3,000 abroad

 


KARACHI: While millions of dollars are taken away by the big guns, there is a serious move to stop ordinary citizens from taking more than $3,000 per person while proceeding abroad and not more than $25,000 in a year.


There is also a proposal not to allow any foreign currency amount for children under 15 years of age. The Pakistan Customs has suggested to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to amend the regulations on taking out foreign currency abroad by a person and has advised to reduce it to $3,000 or cap an amount of $25,000 per annum to a person.

Collector Preventive Tariq Huda on Monday, while talking to The News, said that presently the allowed limit of foreign currency was misused by passengers going abroad.

Huda said that under the prevailing SBP rules, an individual can take huge amount of foreign currency through multiple visits abroad. The provision was also misused as all family members including children are allowed to carry foreign currency as there is no restriction, he added.

Through a notification issued in July 1998 by the SBP allowed that any person can take out of Pakistan $10,000/- or equivalent thereof in other foreign currencies.Since the $10,000 limit is allowed, so Pakistan Customs has no such data of passengers. Thus, there is no record of foreign exchange amount transferred through this channel. However, Customs sources said that billions of dollars are transferred through the SBP regulation.

Tariq Huda said that the Customs authorities through the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) proposed the central bank to reduce the limit of money transfer by an individual to $3,000 and cap the limit of $25,000 per year by a person.

He said that currency transfer by the authorised dealers was monitored by the Preventive Collectorate to ensure the amount was not beyond limits.The collector said that Pakistan Customs had evolved a mechanism to detect illegal money transfer to gather information about the persons involved in this. Under this mechanism, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) successfully intercepted the illegal foreign exchange transfer and made some arrests, he added.He said that about Rs10 million worth foreign currency was seized during the ongoing anti-smuggling drive by the Preventive Collectorate.

Asari Dokubo arrested in Benin Republic

Just got a press release from lawyer Festus Keyamo explaining that his friend and client, ex-militant Asari Dokubo was arrested in Benin Republic today. Read the press release below...
Today, Tuesday, November 26, 2013, my friend and client, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, around the hours of 1:00pm and 2:00pm by the country’s gendarmes (Police Force).
He was picked up around the Lubeleyi roundabout and taken to an unknown destination. We want to emphasise that Alhaji Dokubo-Asari carries on legitimate business and has been living partly in Benin Republic for many years now. In fact, he owns houses, schools and an academy in that country. All these places have been searched as at this evening and nothing incriminating was found.
We think his arrest and detention is a ploy by certain forces in Nigeria in unholy alliance with the Beninoise government to keep him away as 2015 approaches.

We call on the Nigerian government to immediately intervene and ensure that no harm befalls Alhaji Dokubo-Asari and to use all diplomatic means to secure his immediate release and safe return to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, we shall be liaising immediately with our colleagues in that country to enforce his fundamental rights.

Pics: President Jonathan arrives from the UK, speaks to the press

President Jonathan is back to the country after a trip to the UK where he developed acute abdominal pains and had to seek medical attention.

Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus to perform at the American Music Awards

Katy Perry thinks most awards shows are fun, but she especially loves the American Music Awards.

Perry is thrilled to open the live ABC broadcast Sunday night from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles with her latest single "Unconditionally."

Nor'easter could snarl Thanksgiving travel for LIers

The National Weather Service is predicting a pre-Thanksgiving nor'easter to hit Long Island that has the potential to snarl travel plans on the busiest day of the year.

President Barack Obama, Miley Cyrus among least influential celebrities of 2013, GQ says

Dennis Rodman is at the top of a list no one wants to be on. He's been named GQ's No. 1 least influential celebrity of 2013.

See Rita Dominic & Toke Makinwa's gorgeous outfits to ELOY awards

The Exquisite Lady of the Year Awards (ELOY)

Movie Stars Indicate Interest In Owning Band In Annual Calabar Carnival

It’s time to develop tourism in Africa – Gambian diplomat Nigerian movie stars have indicated their interest in owning a band in the annual CalabarCarnival, as a means of strengthening the existing relationship between private sector and public tourism practitioners during the month-long event.With this development, the carnival will have six registered bands, Bayside, Freedom, Masta Blasta, Passion-4, Seagull and Nollywood. All the .ve old bands were registered in 2005 and incorporated as part of the features to grow the carnival as tourism brand in Calabar.

Chris Brown Booted Out From Rehab Facility

Chris Brown was booted from a rehab facility this month after smashing his mother’s car window during a family session, his probation officer reported Wednesday.

The judge overseeing Brown’s probation in his Rihanna beating case ordered the singer to immediately enter another rehab program and stay for 90 days.

Brown, who was arrested on an assault charge in Washington, D.C., last month, still faces a possibly probation violation charge that could send him to prison.

“There is much concern with the probationer’s new arrest and his violent outburst that resulted in his discharge from a treatment facility,” the probation report said.

Post 26/11 many gaps remain in security system: Experts

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 In the five years after the Mumbai carnage in which 10 Pakistani terrorists laid siege to key institutions in India's commercial capital and killed 166 people, many steps have been taken to improve the country's counter-terror apparatus, but much more needs to be done, security experts say.
The country's coastal security is much better and intelligence sharing has improved, but the police-population ratio remains inadequate, intelligence gathering needs to be beefed up and more anti-terror mock drills need to be held across the country, the experts said.
Former Punjab director general of police K. P. S. Gill, who is credited with ending the Punjab militancy of the 1980s, feels that India is better prepared today to handle a terror attack.
"The coastal security is much better and people in different branches of the security system are more alert and sensitive to intelligence inputs," Gill told IANS.
But he said that as a nation, "we have not learnt any lessons".
"It is good to talk about metros, but such things (attacks) can happen even in the countryside," said Gill.
Noting that "the police systems are breaking down", Gill said there should be "no political interference" in transfers and postings of police officers.
Ten heavily armed Pakistani terrorists stealthily slipped into Mumbai from the sea on Nov 26, 2008, and unleashed a brutal attack on several key locations, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Taj Mahal Hotel, Chabad House and Leopold Cafe. The terror assault ended three days later when security forces killed nine of the gunmen. One of the attackers, Ajmal Kasab, had been captured soon after the assault began. He was hanged a year ago after a trial.
According to former union home secretary G. K. Pillai, efforts should continue towards better analysis of intelligence inputs and more mock anti-terror drills should be conducted in schools and shopping malls.
"We are short of practice... There should be proper coordination so that everyone knows what to do," Pillai told IANS.
He said in the five years since the attack India has been able to strengthen its intelligence network. More hubs of the elite National Security Guards (NSG) have been set up and many countries are now sharing intelligence with India, he added.
"Even if terrorists infiltrate, the response should be fast enough," he opined.
Sounding a note of caution, Pillai said terrorists tend to pick new targets. "This time the attack may be quite different. It could be major schools, malls. We have to be prepared for that," he emphasised.
On the option of targeting terror training camps on foreign soil, Pillai said that will have to be a policy decision.
Former Intelligence Bureau director Arun Bhagat said while India's security system has improved, intelligence gathering and processing remain a formidable challenge.
"Local police should be involved more," Bhagat told IANS.
Given the challenge of policing in a large country like India, he said no "security system can be fool-proof."
According to Ajai Sahni, executive director, Institute for Conflict Management, huge gaps still exist in India's security system since the 26/11 attack.
"It is like a house with 200 broken windows. You may repair five or seven, but you need to repair all. The deficit (in security architecture) is so great," Sahni told IANS.
The low police to population ratio in India is a problem area, he said.
"There are around 500 police personnel per 100,000 population in some developed countries... In India it has improved - from 128 policemen per 100,000 population in 2008 to 138 in 2012," he said.
Sahni said the number of personnel gathering field intelligence was also inadequate.
"There are less than 5,000 staff in the field though India's population needs a much bigger number," he said.(IANS)

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India successfully tests Dhanush ballistic missile

India Saturday successfully tested its nuclear-capable ballistic missile Dhanush from a naval ship in the Bay of Bengal, an official said.
The missile was fired from a naval ship as part of the training exercise of the Indian Navy, M. V. K. V. Prasad, the director of the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur in Odisha's Balasore district, told IANS.
"The test was successful," he said, but declined to specify the exact location in the Bay of Bengal where it took place.
Dhanush is a naval version of the nuclear-capable ballistic missile Prithvi. It has a range of 350 km and is capable of carrying a conventional as well as nuclear payload of more than 500 kg. It can hit both land and sea-based targets.
The missile gives the Indian Navy the capability to strike enemy targets with great precision.(IANS)

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Kelly Osbourne on vocal rest

Actress Kelly Osbourne has been asked to restrain herself from talking for two weeks so that she can give her vocal chords some rest.

The 29-year-old posted a scandalous picture of her open mouth on Twitter, reports femalefirst. co. uk.

She captured the picture by tweeting: "Warning this is disgusting! How much do my vocal cords look like a v*****? According to my doctor, I have pre-vocal nodes and I am on vocal rest for the next two weeks."

"That's worse than prison for me," she added.(IANS

Becks, Alicia Keys to root for 'inspirational' boxer Pacquaio in Macau

London, Nov 24 - As Manny Pacquaio makes his long-awaited return to the boxing ring, David Beckham and Alicia Keys will be among the stars who will be ringside in Macau.
According to Metro. co. uk, former England and Manchester United star Beckham is a big fan of the multi-weight world champion, who is fighting for the first time since last December when he was stopped in the sixth round by Juan Manuel Marquez.
Global icon Beckham has admitted he is a huge fan of the noble art and has called Pacquiao 'inspirational', the report said.
He has also backed the superstar fighter to beat American Brandon Rios and give the Philippine public something to cheer as they continue their battle to overcome the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan, the report added. (ANI)

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News Of The Day: Fire Of Zamani: 5 Hot Tracks That Will Rule Nigeri...

News Of The Day: Fire Of Zamani: 5 Hot Tracks That Will Rule Nigeri...: Ice Prince’s Fire Of Zamani  is totally amazing, with a number of tracks produced to stun listeners. The album possesses a record number...

News Of The Day: Davido Set For New Career Path?

News Of The Day: Davido Set For New Career Path?: Omo Baba Olowo ,  real name  David Adeleke  has been announced as the first editor of  Teen Y! Magazine . Teen Y! is a cool new website ...

Davido Set For New Career Path?

Omo Baba Olowo, real name David Adeleke has been announced as the first editor of Teen Y! Magazine. Teen Y! is a cool new website for naija youth. Teenage trend setters will seek out Teen Y! as an authentic source for fashion, pop culture and knowledge – delivered with sophistication. According to Daphne Akatugba, a contributing editor: “Teenage trendsetters everywhere know Teen Y! as the only hotspot for fashion, lifestyle and all the stuff that matters; Davido mirrors that X factor perfectly. We are excited to work with him over the next three months, and beyond.

The decision to make award winning hit artiste, label boss and, Skelewu master, Davido the editor-at-large was a simple one according to supervising editor Ifeanyi Dike Jr. “Davido is the name that pops up when you think of the all-time, anywhere-in-the-continent coolest teen symbol. There’s no one in the market as young and successful, hardworking, and iconic”.

The announcement was made this afternoon at the corporate office of the Teen Y! parent company, RED in Lagos, Nigeria where it was also confirmed that he will be the brand ambassador for two quarter renewable at end of term and will have a column on teen.ynaija.com. Present were the crew fromDavido’s record label HKN; B red, Shina Rambo, Danagog and manager Kamal Ajiboye.

The artiste, who started singing at age 11 and set up his own record label HKN, celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday in Lagos by visiting orphanages.

Fire Of Zamani: 5 Hot Tracks That Will Rule Nigerian Fans

Ice Prince’s Fire Of Zamani is totally amazing, with a number of tracks produced to stun listeners. The album possesses a record number of stellar collaborations, with Chip, French Montana, M.I Abaga, and Sunny Neji, bringing on the heat.

Pulse.ng brings you the top 5 tracks on the FOZ Album (whose mega concert will be held tomorrow). The full album has been put through our expert team of editors and analyst, and together we have picked 5 choice tracks.

Watch this space!

#1. Whiskey Ft. Sunny Neji

Surprisingly, this is No.1 on our list. Contrary to what many think, ‘Whiskey’ is the bomb! It’s not some strict commercial hit designed to send fans to dancing galaxies, no. Whiskey is more….refined. It’s Highlife in its purest form, mixed with a conscious message, and religious undertones. Classic!  And then…there was Sunny Neji.

Listen to Whiskey here.

#2. Komotion Ft. Wizkid

A song with the Caribbean feel that never fails to make Nigerians swoon and explode. Wizkid’s patois chorus really causes ‘Komotion’ in all our hearts. Ice Prince keeps it ticking over with his swagger, and bluster that we all want to identify with. This track’s a bomb.

Listen to Komotion here.

#3. Gimme Dat ft. Burna Boy, Yung L & Olamide

A song about weed is a song for our hearts. ‘Gimme Dat’ has a number of featured artistes, all with varying styles that blend together to give a uber-hit. Burna brings on the patois, Yung L goes Jamaican, Ice Prince preaches Hip hopm, and Olamide’s Yoruba hits home. Constant repeat, this one.

Listen to ‘Gimme Dat’ here.

#4. I Swear Ft. French Montana

A classic for the Hip hop purists, this one goes in hard. ‘I Swear’ ft. French Montana has the ‘feel-swag Factor’ which goes way beyond the sounds and lyrics, to hitting a core part of us. The part that wants to be ‘in’ with the life.

Listen to ‘I Swear’ here.

#5. Person Wey Sabi

Highlife makes it second appearance again. ‘Person Wey Sabi’ is our classic beach, ‘palm-wine tune’, with a blend of the traditional percussion, and drumming that brings out the indigene in us. We’re sure to fall in love.

 Listen to ‘Person Wey Sabi’ here.

Wale’s Absence To Be Felt At Fire Of Zamani Concert

Nigerian rapper Ice Prince’s album launch ‘Fire of Zamani’ has been the most talked about album launch in Nigeria for weeks now. It was a much anticipated event because American rapper Wale Folarin who is of Nigerian descent was set to come to Nigeria to perform for the first time ever. However, a couple of hours ago, Ice Prince announced the unfortunate news that Wale wont be able to make it to Nigeria. This news has undoubtedly killed the buzz of many who planned to attend the album launch party, however it wont deter his fans ( Za’Maniacs) from showing up.

The unlucky turn of events occurred because rapper Wale’s flight ticket to Nigeria was not paid for. we cannot blame him, however who ever was handling his flight details slacked immensely on his/her duties. Not to worry however, he will still be coming to Nigeria to perform at the Johnnie Walker ‘Step Up To The Vip Lifestyle’ event on saturday the 30th of November.

Wale tweeted this :

Tweet Of The Day: Wizkid's Jaiye Jaiye In The Bush

Photos: Tiwa and Teebillz on their wedding day

 Photos above taken by Obi Somto...see pics from the wedding ceremony below...