FASHION FRAT PARTY AT STELLA MCCARTNEY

I walked into Stella McCartney's autumn 2014 presentation feeling a little intimidated. It was held at the Harold Pratt House, the stately home of the Council on Foreign Relations, on the Upper East Side. I felt underdressed and uncool as I sidled past Maggie Gyllenhaal and Liv Tyler who were sipping on flutes of champagne. I left, an hour later, slightly doused in champagne, with a big grin on my face.

 Here's what happened in between.

Stella McCartney's presentations have always got a bit of whimsy about them. This one had a lot: enough sugary treats to rot holes in even the most well attended pearly whites (including giant marzipan cakes made to look like Stella McCartney bags and a chocolate fountain), hopscotch, tricked out Mini Coopers for models to play bumper cars in, and a whiplash-inducing guest list. There was Patti Smith in one corner, Alec Baldwin in another, Susan Sarandon coming down the stairs, the Seinfelds, Parker Posey, Blythe Danner, and more. 

Thankfully none of the aforementioned bold faced names happened to be upstairs in the converted bumper cars room, where models clad in McCartney's stellar (and obviously comfortable) pre-fall collection packed two and three to a car, gleefully smashed into each other, nearly missing many guests who proved surprisingly nimble in their stilettos. I was not one of the nimble ones and got in between Hanne Gaby Odiele, still holding her champagne flute from behind the wheel, and a table holding some oversized Stella bags and a few bottles of champagne. Down went the bags and the bottles, and I got a nice misting of champagne. 

TOM FORD IS COOL WITH HAYDEN PANETTIERE WEARING ONE OF HIS DESIGNS OFF THE RACK

Hayden Panettiere showed up to the Golden Globes wearing a sleek black and white Tom Ford gown. "It's the first time I've ever worn him, because I've been begging ever since," she gushed to E!'s Giuliana Rancic. "I feel sexy in it, I feel comfortable in it, and I'm in Tom Ford. I would wear a plastic bag if it was designed by him." Sure, Panettiere looked sexy, but her dress made headlines for other reasons. See, Tom Ford tends to dress one leading lady per awards show and usually it's Ford muse Julianne Moore. His PR confirmed that Naomi Watts was wearing his designs to the Golden Globes but there wasn't a peep about Panettiere. That's because Panettiere bought her dress—gasp—off the rack. She wanted it that bad she did what any normal person would do... she bought it.

Betty Adewole: Catwalk CV

BETTY ADEWOLE has a name, and a face, that you won't forget - and the fashion industry isn't likely to let you try this year, since she's set to be one of 2014's hottest models. Scouted at 15 in her hometown of London - shopping on Tottenham Court Road, to be precise - the model has politely dismissed comparisons with another capital-born model, Naomi Campbell, asserting that, while flattered, she is "very different". After a steady start, the turning point in her career was being signed by IMG last year, and subsequently cutting her waist-length hair into a boyish crop - forcing designers in search of a new look to take notice. From her debut on the catwalks of Loewe and Maison Martin Margiela during the spring/summer 2011 season, Adewole has become one of the industry's most sought-after catwalk faces. With appearances in some of fashion's biggest shows - from Alexander McQueen and Tom Ford to Stella McCartney and Givenchy - under her belt, she's likely to give fellow Londoners Jourdan Dunn and Cara Delevingne a run for their money in the popularity stakes when the shows begin next month.

Ronaldo Is World Footballer Of The Year 2013

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2013 Fifa Ballon d'Or at an awards ceremony in Zurich, ending Lionel Messi's four-year reign as holder of the crown. Real Madrid forward Ronaldo clinched the prize for the world's best player for the second time in his career after finishing ahead of Barcelona playmaker Messi and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery in the voting.   Ronaldo had finished runner-up three times in the past four years to Messi since winning both the Ballon D'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year in 2008, before the two trophies became one. Portugal captain Ronaldo has been in phenomenal goalscoring form and in 2013 he netted 62 goals in 52 games for club and country.   That was not enough to help Madrid pick up any silverware or lead Portugal to an automatic qualifying berth to this summer's World Cup finals, but he did produce a number of memorable individual performances.    Among them was in the World Cup qualifying play-offs when he struck all four goals - including a brilliant second-leg hat-trick - as Portugal beat Sweden 4-2 on aggregate to book their spot in Brazil. An emotional Ronaldo, who was fighting back the tears as he received the award on Monday night, said: "First of all I have to say a great thanks to all of my team-mates with the club and the national team. "Without all of their efforts this would not have been possible. I am very happy, it is very difficult to win this award. "Everybody that has been involved with me on a personal level I have to thank. My wife, my friends, my son. It is a tremendously emotional moment. All I can say is thank you to everybody that has been involved."

13 Hottest Nigerian Designers in 2013

Nigeria has her own share of talents especially in the fashion industry where they keep taking giant strides every day. With showcases at different fashion shows all  over the world, international celebrities donning their pieces and generally putting Nigeria on the world fashion map, these designers have through sheer hard work broken into the international scene and their pieces have continued to be appreciated all over the world. These Nigerian designers had an amazing 2013; they recorded an increase in clientele all over the world, dressed celebrities home and abroad, created outstanding designs with some of them expanding their brands and many more. Notable amongst them are: 1) Yemi Osunkoya Yemi Osunkoya is a UK based Nigerian designer and CEO/ creative director of Kosibah.  A (couture) bridal brand based in the United Kingdom. Yemi, known for his use of corsetry and boned bodices produces elegant and classy dresses that give a hourglass figure; the king of curvaceous bridal pieces, Yemi is known for his stunning bridal wears and has a clientele list that spans the UK, USA and Nigeria. The international award winning designer has continued to churn out fabulous statement wedding dresses and remain at the top of the couture bridal wear industry. The designer's clientele base increased tremendously this year. 2) Folake Folarin Coker Folake Folarin Coker is the creative director of Tiffany Amber Nigeria, a luxury Nigeria brand known for her classic statement pieces. Folake Folarin Coker was amongst 2013 Forbes power women in Africa. A feat she achieved through a stint of hard work and dedication to her craft. Her Tiffany Amber brand has shown across all major fashion shows the world over and takes top place amongst the best African designer. Her brand is retailed by fashion retail giants Yoox.com, La Rinascente and was one of the fashion brands selected by Ndani TV at Selfridges last year. Her designs have been featured in vogue, on CNN and on other major international press. 3) Lanre Da silva Ajayi Lanre Da Silva Ajayi owns the LDA brand. A luxury Nigerian clothing brand; She is especially known for her use of intricate lace fabrics to create her unique Victorian designs. She takes her place as a brilliant and fashionable designer, having shown across major fashion shows. Her brand made it to Selfridges courtesy of Ndani TV last year. 4) Deola Sagoe Nigerian designer Deola Sagoe is known for her haute couture designs she owns the brand Deola Sagoe. This talented designer has carved her niche for herself in the industry with fans as Will Smith, Opray Winfrey and Andre Leon Talley who once nominated her for MNET/ Anglo Gold African designs where she won. She has showcased her brand on various runways, internationally and locally. 5) Lisa Folawiyo Lisa Folawiyo is the creative director of Jewel By Lisa; a brand known for her stunning Ankara embellishments. Lisa Folawiyo has attracted scores of international with her timeless pieces edgy and playful pieces. Her brand which retails on mytheresa.com has also been spotted on a lot of international celebrities including Angela Simmons, Lala Anthony, Kelis, Alicia Quarles of E-news and many more. 6) Emmy Collins Emmy Collins is a UK based Nigerian designer. The menswear designer who owns the Emmy Collins brand is known for his sharp, clean and modern pieces. A sucker for perfect tailoring, he has a clientele base all over the world. His pieces are seen on celebrities all over the world. He currently runs a fashion workshop where he trains upcoming fashion entrepreneurs. He has shown his designs on major fashion shows. 7) Frank Osodi The self-acclaimed king of bustier, Frank Osodi has been in the fashion industry for a while and has continued to soar. The founder and creative director of House of Bunor is known for his well-structured bustier and boned bodices. He has designed evening dresses for most beauty queens in Nigeria and beyond. He continues to reign in the Nigerian fashion industry and beyond. 8) Mai Atafo Mai Atafo is one of the hottest designers around. The CEO and creative director of the brand, Mai Atafo Inspired has carved a niche in menswear and bridal fashion. The extremely talented and fashion forward designer has made a name for himself in the short time he entered the fashion industry. His bridal line is going strong. He has designed for a host of Nigerian celebrities and has showcased across major fashion weeks. 9) Bridget Awosika Bridget Awosika has become a fashion force to be reckoned with. She owns the Bridget Awosika brand. She is known as a fashion forward designer, her pieces push fashion boundaries and she’s known to take fashion risks that have continually put her at the fore. Bridget has showcased at major fashion weeks and her designs are constantly spotted on celebrities. 10) Toju Foyeh This upcoming fashion brand has comfortably nestled with the big brand names in Nigeria. She is known for the timeless and stunning pieces. Owned By Toju Foyeh; the brand within a short time has registered her name in the fashion industry. Toju Foyeh had an amazing 2013 as she notably dressed a lot of Nigerian celebrities. Her stunning designs were all over major weddings this year. 11) Vonne Couture Vonne Couture, owned by Yvonne Nwosu has made a name for herself in the fashion industry. The brand has showcased around major fashion shows. She is known for her fusion of rich colours and bold statement making pieces. The preferred brand for celebrities has continued to grow, increasing her clientele base on a regular basis. 12) House Of Nwocha Owned by Ugonna Omeruo who doubles as the creative director. The brand recorded major red carpet appearances this year as celebrities rocked the pieces heavily. It is a brand to look out for in 2014. 13) Ejiro Amos Tafiri Ejiro Amos Tafiri rocked major red carpets this year as a lot of celebrities especially rocked her pieces. The brand named after the creative director continues to improve, with intricate/delicate designs that really worked infused into the line. The brand is one to look out for this year.

Nollywood Divorce The Real Truth Behind Comedienne Princess’ Marriage Collapse

Many of her fans were shocked that the much hyped marriage of Nigerian comedienne Princess, (Damilola Adekoya), could pack up like badly arranged cards barely 7 months after it was held. But what many did not know was that the marriage was doomed before it started as it is being reported that 2 weeks after the May 8th, 2013, high profile wedding, Princess and her hubby, movie producer cum director, Adeshola Jeremiah began experiencing some hiccups that ultimately led to them having the now famous incompatibility issues. Those close to her say she had been inundating them with stories of how her marriage crashed due to irreconcilable differences but insiders are pointing fingers at her extravagant way of life as the reason her husband could no longer cope with her. An inside source hinted that Jeremiah got tired of Princess’ high profile lifestyle, her penchant for parties and events and could not continue living with a woman who placed a premium on such a life rather than being a wife. But some others who are sympathetic to Princess say the producer married her believing that she had a lot of money and could sponsor his movies but when she would not bulge to his incessant demands for money, she had to call it quits. Well, be that as it may, they all boil down to ‘irreconcilable differences.’

Rita Dominic’s Movie, The Meeting Makes History In Two Weeks

The multiple awards winning Nigerian romantic comedy, The Meeting, from the stable of The Audrey Silva Company owned by Nollywood A-List actress, Rita Dominic and Mildred Okwo, is now out on DVD. The movie which grossed over N25 million from the cinema, has now reportedly sold over 50 000 copies within two weeks of release, making the company to order for fresh copies. The DVD release will avail all movie lovers, fans and people who did not get the chance to see the movie when it was shown in cinemas the opportunity to see the movie again. The movie which was released on January 1, 2014, according to official release by the media company responsible for its publicity, Big Sam Media, has made history as the first Nigerian movie to sell out within such a period of time. The Meeting has enjoyed rave review and commendation from media, politicos, entertainers and even the president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan. “This movie will be much talked about in our country and our continent in the weeks ahead,” President Jonathan had said. The romantic comedy features a mix of emerging stars and industry superstars including the delectable Rita Dominic, Tinsel star, Linda Ejiofor, Femi Jacobs and experienced thespian, Jide Kosoko. The movie also has special appearances by Kate Henshaw, Nse Ikpe Etim, Basorge Tariah Jnr and Chinedu Ikediezie. The Meeting has gathered lots of attention as it got six nominations last year in different categories at the Africa Movies Academy Awards (AMAA). The categories include AMAA 2013 Prized for Achievement in Costume Design, Achievement in Make-Up, Best Nigerian Film, Best Actress in Supporting Role, (Linda Ejiofor), Best Actor in a Leading Role, (Femi Jacobs) and Best Actress in a Leading Role, (Rita Dominic).

Nollywood War Teco Benson Blasts Actor Michael Ezuruonye For Being Unprofessional

Nollywood star actor, Michael Ezuruonye, has been taken to the cleaners by ‘Red Hot’ director, Teco Benson, who called Mike unprofessional for absconding from a movie set. According to Teco Benson who is one of the best directors in the country, Mike abandoned the set of his new film titled ‘Centrifugal Force’, thereby halting the movie’s production and causing him loss of money as he had to pay for equipment and props he could not utilize. Teco had this to say: “Right now, we have some hiccups in the production of ‘Centrifugal Force’ because of the unprofessional conduct by Mike Ezuruonye who is playing a lead role. So, we are just waiting to tidy up so that we can release it.” Meanwhile, Mike, who has been one of the top actors in the country in the last few years, has replied Teco, refuting the fact that he deliberately absconded from the set.

Photo Of The Day Check Out Michael Ezuruonye In Sexy Pictures

Mike Ezuruonye is one fine boy Nollywood actor who has the ability to turn heads at all times. The Accounting graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, is a hunk whose good looks made him a much sought after guy until he got hooked to Nkechi Nnorom in 2010. Mike, who has acted in hundreds of movies, took time out to pose for these racy pictures to begin the New Year. One word for this handsome chap!

Upgrade Your Style, 5 Keys Pieces To Refresh Your Wardrobe

There are key pieces you should have in your closet, they instantly transform any look. When picking out your pieces next time you go shopping, you want to pick up the following:

The Black Blazer
 A well structured blazer is a classy fashion item to instantly jazz up your wardrobe. Invest in perfectly tailored and simple ones.

 The Jeans
 The Jeans never goes away, update your closet with a straight cut one of very good quality; it will last longer. 

Structured Bag
 A structured bag is a must have for ladies; invest in  one with very good leather in neutral colour or plain black.

 Matching Undies
 Yeah ladies, invest in a good set of matching under garments; the fabulous feeling and confidence it gives you from within will radiate. Get a good pair of comfortable sets.

The Red Lipstick
 Include at least one red lipstick in your make-up; it is a must have make-up item. It works magic on a friday night out.

13 Things Guys Need To Know About Suits

Suits are the one classic outfit that can transform a guy from ghetto trashy to classy, suave and dapper however alot of guys dont know how to wear a suit. Wearing a suit is serious business, a well tailored suit is one that should look like it was moulded on you not like you were thrown into a boxy trash bag. Here are some tips to bear in mind when wearing a suit. Your tie bar/clip  should never be wider than your tie. Always unfasten your jacket buttons when you sit. No exceptions. Your pocket square should not match your tie or suit at all, let is stand out, create extra effect. Your belt and shoes have to be the same colour. When you go without a tie, it's best to keep your shirt collar on the smaller side. When your jacket is buttoned, you should be able to fit a fist between your chest and the fabric—no more, no less. Your jacket sleeves should reveal about half an inch of shirt cuff. If they don't, try a short size instead—you could save yourself a trip to the tailor later on. Your pants should sit at your waist (not your hips). You should be able to fit one finger into the waistband comfortably. The black single-monk is the sleekest, most sophisticated, most versatile shoe around. Dont forget tp cut open the thread on the back vents and the pockets. Invest in suit accessories like ties, bow ties,  pocket squares, tie clips and cufflinks  A tie bar should not be worn with a waistcoat or cardigan as the purpose of a tie bar is to hold the tie in place. If you are wearing a waistcoat or cardigan that’s already taken care of and at that point, a tie bar just becomes redundant.    Light tan shirts match with brown tie  Light pink shirts match with burgundy or navy blue tie  Light blue shirts complement red, navy, yellow or burgundy ties   When dealing with striped shirts, determine what its base color is and coordinate with colors as above. Just make sure the stripes on the shirt do match the stripes or pattern on the tie.

PDP Still needs you- Tukur

The PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, on Saturday said former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s fatherly aura and experience in politics were still required by the party. Tukur said this in reaction to a letter written to him and President Goodluck Jonathan, dated Jan. 7, 2014, by Obasanjo. Obasanjo had, in the letter, raised some issues related to the PDP in the country’s South-West geo-political zone. The letter had also conveyed Obasanjo’s decision to withdraw from participating in the party`s politics at all levels. “It is an honour that you deemed it fit and proper to intimate me with an issue important to your mind and our party in the south-west zone. “It is my wish and prayer that such cordial and positive relationship will continue,” Tukur said. He stated that Obasanjo’s experiences as one of the party`s founding fathers were required in its drive to get stronger and become more formidable. Tukur said the PDP had more pressing challenges, bordering most importantly on the coming Ekiti and Osun states’ governorship elections and the 2015 general elections. All this, he said, required strong inputs from the former president. The PDP national chairman said continuous dialogue was needed for a stronger partnership among the party’s stakeholders. He maintained that the need for PDP to reclaim lost grounds in the south-west required the full support of party leaders like Obasanjo. Tukur expressed gratitude to Obasanjo for his manner of approach and for presenting his grievances on issues in the PDP south-west. “I thank you for your gesture and I pray that we shall all continue to dialogue and partner, so he can move our party forward,” he said. Baba also said there was the need for PDP to attain success in the governorship elections coming up in Ekiti and Osun and the subsequent elections in 2015. This, according to him, was critical to reclaiming lost grounds in the South-West zone of the country. On issues raised by Obasonjo in the letter on the state of PDP in the south-west, Tukur said the crisis within the PDP in the zone preceded his emergence as the party`s national chairman. He insisted that the party’s National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee were never part of the problems in the south-west PDP. “We came in when we were threatened with contempt of court charges for not obeying the court’s order to dissolve the south-west zonal executive and remove some officers of the party. “We complied with the court orders because of our belief in the rule of law and to avoid consequences of disobeying such orders.’’ Tukur said.

Naomi Oni accused of pouring acid on self to gain fame

A Victoria’s Secret lingerie store worker, 21-year-old Naomi Oni, was forced to deny throwing acid in her own face to gain fame and fortune. Oni was accused of setting up the attack and asking friend Mary Konye, also 21, to ‘play the stalker’ and throw the corrosive liquid over her. Miss Oni vehemently denied the claims made by Konye’s QC, on the third day of a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. The prosecution claim Konye donned a full niqab before following Oni as she made her way home from Westfield Stratford City in east London where she worked. The victim was left disfigured for life after Konye allegedly doused her with sulphuric acid near her home in Dagenham, Essex. But the defence said it was part of an elaborate plan to become rich and famous. Today Miss Oni insisted she was not ‘obsessed’ with plastic surgery or the story of fellow acid attack victim Katy Piper, despite an internet search history on her laptop suggesting otherwise. In cross examination Sally O’Neill asked her to explain to jurors the story of Ms Piper before asking whether she had become obsessed by the disfigured model. Oni said: “I wouldn’t say obsessed but it deeply moved me. I read about other attacks but it was not an obsession.” Ms O’Neill said it was the defence case that she hatched a plan with Konye to pour acid over herself to improve her future prospects. She said: “You said if something similar to that of Katy Piper happened to you then that wouldn’t be the end of the world because Katy Piper probably had a career boost.” Oni simply replied: “No.” The defence barrister asked her why she had visited a series of plastic surgery websites. Oni answered: “I do not think I was very pretty at all. “I went on the sites for no reason in particular – I had body issues and I was interested in plastic surgery for my body but there was no particular reason. “I remember searching for my eyelids because I had double eyelids which I didn’t like so I planned one day to see if I could do something about it.” But O’Neill said: “You formalised a plan in which you would become the victim of a random acid attack in the hope that you would receive the same type of fame and fortune as Katy Piper had. “You were of the view that Katy Piper still looked lovely after the attack but that you would need something else to support the attack because the police wouldn’t believe you and that was where you brought Mary Konye into it. “Your play was, I suggest, that you would make an allegation that you had been followed and attacked and you wanted Mary Konye to be part of that – you wanted her to follow you and also, initially, wanted her to throw the acid. “She absolutely refused to do that and you said that you were actually going to throw the acid yourself towards your neck area.” Oni replied: “That is very untrue.” Oni admitted deleting her internet search history on her mobile phone a day before police were due to come and collect it. She said she felt ‘violated’ and didn’t want the police going through her personal data so she decided to delete the history on her iPhone. Oni also denied throwing acid over her face in a bid to catapult herself into the ‘celebrity’ world. While in hospital at the end of January, 2013, Oni’s aunt approached the London Evening Standard with an email about her niece’s plight. O’Neill suggested going to the media was the way Oni had decided to launch herself into the celebrity sphere. She said: “It is right that your family decided to take matters into their own hands and go to the media?” Oni replied: “We went to the press because I was homeless at the time.” O’Neill then said: “You thought celebrity would come of it, didn’t you? Were you offered the services of a celebrity plastic surgeon from America?” Oni replied: “So I was told. I do not think being disfigured and being famous is something I aim for in life at all.” Oni also admitted being paid £2,000 by The Sun newspaper for an interview as well as appearing on ITVs This Morning programme and being paid a sum of £1,000. She also appeared on a German television programme and paid around £1,200 as well as being approached by the BBC for her story. Mary Konye, 21, admits disguising herself in a niqab and stalking Naomi Oni, also 21, on her way home from work, but denies she doused her in sulphuric acid. Oni yesterday described the moment she was attacked and told Snaresbrook Crown Court after she saw the damage done she thought: “I’m ugly, no one’s going to marry me now.” Jurors were also shown CCTV of student Konye disguised in a Muslim veil as she followed her friend on the Tube, before she was attacked late at night on an east London street. Yesterday, she described how, on her way home from work at a Victoria’s Secret lingerie store, she got off at her bus stop in Dagenham, East London, and felt a ‘presence’ before turning to see someone in a niqab. She then felt a ‘massive splash’ as the acid was thrown at her, scarring her for life and disfiguring her face, dissolving her hair and eyelashes and burning her tongue as she screamed. Describing how she felt after the attack, she said: “Am I a bad person? Why has this happened to me? I work hard. No one’s going to marry me now.

Okonjo-Iweala taking Nigerians for granted

The House of Representatives Committee on Finance on Saturday said the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was taking Nigerians for granted. The committee said this in a statement by its clerk, Farouk Mustapha, in response to comments credited to Okonjo-Iweala in some newspapers. Okonjo-Iweala reportedly said she would need time to respond to the 50 questions given to her by the committee. The relationship between the minister and the committee turned sour last month when she was given the 50 questions to answer. But on Saturday, the committee said it was awaiting the minister’s response to the questions. It stated, “We view this as a welcome development as it denotes a vindication of the decision we took when she appeared before the committee on December 19, 2013. The committee knew that she would need time to answer the questions. “The minister appears to be taking the memories of Nigerians for granted. This was the minister who walked into the meeting with the committee and drew everyone’s sympathy the moment she feebly announced that she was not feeling well.” The committee stated that it was  curious then that when the minister was not feeling well she was prepared to address 50 questions in a session that was to last just about two hours. It said now that she was fully fit, hale and hearty, she was saying she  would need more time. The committee stated, “It is regrettable that while talking to reporters after the presentation of the report of the 15-year strategic partnership on debt management between UK and Nigeria, the minister accused critics of the huge domestic debt profile under her stewardship of lacking information. “Interestingly, that is why the committee  invited her to share such information with Nigerians. It would also be an opportunity to let her know some of the things we know.” According to the committee, the DFID whose collaboration with Nigeria she is so enthusiastic about has published a report on the 2014 Medium Term Expenditure Framework. The lawmakers said it was high time the minister realised that Nigeria did not need any other country to “tell us that our economy is doing well, the least of which is Great Britain with its deep economic problems and huge domestic debt profile. Nigerians will positively feel the impact if their economy is really doing well as the minister claims.

Why we’re backing Kashamu — Tukur

The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Bamanga Tukur, has told former President Olusegun Obasanjo that his estranged kinsman, Buruji Kashamu, enjoys the party support and backing because of the role Kashamu played in strengthening the PDP in the South-West. Tukur gave the explanation in his reply to Obasanjo’s letter dated January 7, 2014 to the party chairman. In his letter, a copy of which was sent to President Goodluck Jonathan as the national leader of the party, Obasanjo accused the PDP of negating the principles of morality, decency and discipline in its decisions, especially as they affected the South West. The letter which was obtained by our Ogun State correspondent on Saturday read, “While I believe that a good and truly national political party must be a microcosm of the nation in its membership, made up of all sorts of characters from near-saints to near-satan, I also believe that on no account should a known habitual criminal that is wanted abroad to face criminal charges levelled against him be extolled as a political leader in a respectable and wholesome nation-building political party. “Kashamu Buruji has been so extolled in PDP in South-West geo-political zone, which I personally find unsavoury. Politics played by any national political party must have morality, decency, discipline, principles and leadership examples as cardinal practices of the party. I have attached here recent documents that clearly indicate that your extolled PDP Zonal Leader in the South-West zone of Nigeria and an indigene of Ogun State is, to say the least, not a credit to the party as a member, let alone being a zonal leader. “Since I stick in my practice of party politics to the hallowed and cherished principles enunciated above, I take this opportunity to let you know that while I continue to remain a card-carrying member of PDP, I cannot and I will not subscribe to a wanted habitual criminal being installed as my zonal leader of the party.” However, in explaining the party’s devotion to Kashamu, Tukur wrote, “Buruji Kasamu came to limelight in politics as a result of the role he played in the politics of Ogun State where both of you come from. He later became a rallying point in the South-West following the courts’ orders in the series of cases brought about as a result of disagreements among leaders of the party in the South-West, and Ogun State in particular. “In my opinion, Buruji became a rallying point because of the absence of a zonal executive in the South-West. This vacuum in the South-West has made him the person to whom many members in all the chapters of the party in the zone approach for one form of assistance or the order.” Tukur personally signed the reply, which was made available to journalists in Abuja on Saturday. The PDP Chairman, while preaching continuous dialogue and need for stronger partnership among stakeholders of the party, told Obasanjo that the need for the ruling party to reclaim the lost grounds in the South-West required the full support of party leaders like him. Sounding conciliatory in his response to Obasanjo’s letter, Tukur expressed his appreciation of the manner of approach by the ex-President in presenting his grievances on issues in the PDP South-West. Tukur stated that there was the need for the PDP to attain success in the “governorship elections coming up this year in Ekiti and Osun states and the subsequent elections in 2015 to reclaim lost grounds in the South-West.” The PDP Chairman also addressed the complaint of the former President on the state of the PDP in the South-West. He said the crises within the PDP in the zone were there before he took over the mantle of leadership of the party. In the same vein, Kashamu also responded to Obasanjo’s letter on Saturday. He described the ex-President’s letter as a ‘cocktail of lies’ and alleged that Obasanjo was blackmailing him. He said, “First, it is now clear to all and sundry why I have become the target of Obasanjo’s wicked campaign of calumny and blackmail is his perceived loss of political relevance in Ogun State and the South-West. In his 18-page satanic letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, I was the other person – indeed the only one (after the President) – that he singled out for his venomous attack. “In his usual hypocritical manner, he talked about not being able to work with me because of his principles and decency. But the questions Nigerians should ask him are: where were these principles when he used me to fight Gbenga Daniel? Where was his self-righteousness when I took the party structure from Daniel and handed it to Obasanjo? Where was his decency when he brought Gen. Adetunji Olurin to me and asked that I should roll my structure behind his governorship ambition? “Where was his morality when he introduced me to South West PDP leaders like Engr. Segun Oni, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (retd) and a host of others? Where was his discipline when he hosted me severally in his Hilltop mansion, taking me into his bedroom and innermost recesses? Where was his decency when he accepted donations from me to his church and other concerns?  Where was his gumption when he mounted the rostrum to sing my praises, praying for me as he did in May 2010 during a reception for the former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye? I can go on and on!” Kashamu denied being the leader of the party in the South-West and described himself as the “party’s foot soldiers in the zone and the Chairman of the Organisation and Mobilisation Committee for the party in the zone. “ He also denied that he is being wanted for extradition by the United States of America. “I wish to state for the umpteenth time that there is no request for my extradition for any offence whatsoever. I recall that in my earlier response to him, I have challenged him to produce the request for extradition, if there is any. “Indeed, contrary to his lies that I am wanted in the United States for some offences, the purported and over-flogged case is that of mistaken identity, for which I had been tried and discharged after my innocence was established by the British courts. I am already in court in the US asking that the earlier accusation (not conviction) against me be quashed. That process is ongoing.” He further alleged that Obasanjo had asked the Beninoise government to frame him up anytime he visited the country. Other prominent members in the  South-West zone of the party, on Saturday, lashed out at the  ex-president, describing him as difficult to please. The Chairman of the caretaker committee of the party in the zone, Mr. Ishola Filani, who spoke on the telephone with our correspondent in Abuja on Saturday, said it was sad that Obasanjo who brought Kashamu into the limelight politically was also trying to destroy him. Filani said, “Tell me, who is good in the sight of the former President? When the late President (Umaru Yar’Adua) was alive, he was not good. President Goodluck Jonathan is not good. So, nobody is good in his sight. “Obasanjo introduced Kashamu into politics when he used him to fight Daniel but later cheated him when it was time to share political offices in the state. Now, he is a criminal . Is he on the wanted list of the United States of America? If the USA is looking for someone, will the whole world not know?” Similarly, the Chairman, PDP, Ogun State Chapter and Chairman, Committee of South-West PDP State Executives, Mr. Adebayo Dayo, said Obasanjo’s withdrawal from activities in the PDP had ulterior motives. He further said heaven would not fall, however, if the ex-president steps out of the party. Dayo said, “It is a free world. Everybody is entitled to his opinion. Baba’s (Obasanjo’s) opinion is that he wants to step aside. After all, IBB (former military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida) stepped aside many years ago and heaven did not fall; Nigeria did not collapse because IBB stepped aside. “If Baba too steps aside because of somebody (Kashamu) who has never offended him; somebody who has never been convicted by any court in the world, it is only an excuse for him to go and do something else against the PDP.” However, former Minister of Justice, Richard Akinjide, who on Saturday hosted some elders of the South-West Peoples Democratic Party at his home in Ibadan, threw his weight behind Obasanjo. He said criminals would not be allowed to rule the party. He stated, “We all heard what the former President Olusegun Obasanjo said. If you read the newspapers today (yesterday), he made some important comments. In essence, he is in support of the meeting we are doing here. If anybody says don’t come to this meeting, disregard him. Don’t trust those people. One of them is a drug addict; I mean the criminal elements who want to lead us. We won’t allow them.” Meanwhile, the Presidency on Saturday said President Goodluck Jonathan and other elders of the Peoples Democratic Party will take a critical look at the issues raised in a letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the party chairman. Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, said this in a telephone interview with our correspondent. “The party leaders will handle the issues appropriately,” Gulak simply said. When further asked whether Jonathan will not personally intervene in the matter, the presidential aide said, “Mr. President is one of the party leaders I said will handle the issue appropriately.” In a related development, Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Saturday begged members of the PDP in Kaduna State to shun all overtures from opposition parties who he said were bent on destroying the PDP in the state. A statement by his spokesman, Umar Sani, quoted Sambo as making the appeal during the PDP caucus meeting in Kaduna. He urged them to remain united despite the gale of defection that has affected the party in the state and zone.

Former Israel PM Ariel Sharon dies at 85

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has died aged 85 after spending eight years in a coma following a stroke, reports the British Broadcasting Corporation. He was a giant of Israel’s military and political scene, but courted controversy throughout his long career. The head of the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv said Mr. Sharon had died on Saturday afternoon of heart failure. PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he was a great warrior but a senior Palestinian said his path was war and aggression. “His memory will live forever in the nation’s heart,” the Israeli leader’s spokesman said on Twitter. But leading Palestinian political figure Mustafa Barghouti said while no-one should gloat at his death, Mr. Sharon had taken “a path of war and aggression” and had left “no good memories with Palestinians.” Ariel Sharon’s life was intimately entwined with the life of the country he loved. He fought in Israel’s war of independence in 1948, and from that point until he slipped into a coma in 2006 it seemed there was hardly a moment of national drama in which he did not play a role, our correspondent says. The 85-year-old became PM in 2001 and in 2005 completed a unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, barely a year before he suffered a massive stroke. His health had declined for the past week and a half, Sheba Medical Centre Director Professor Shlomo Noy told reporters. “Over the past week he struggled with surprising strength and determination against the deterioration in his condition. Today he departed peacefully with his loving family at his side.” One of his two sons, Gilad Sharon, said outside the hospital: “He has gone. He went when he decided to go.” He had been in a persistent vegetative state since a stroke in 2006 and Professor Noy said he had suffered “ups and downs” throughout that period. Ariel Sharon died during the Jewish Sabbath and the BBC said a ministerial committee would meet in the coming hours to decide what steps to take in the coming hours. It is believed Mr. Sharon’s body may lie in state at Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, before a big state funeral is held. He will finally be buried at his ranch in the Negev desert. As prime minister, Mr. Sharon presided over some of the most turbulent times in Israeli-Palestinian history, a Palestinian uprising that erupted in 2000 and a subsequent tough Israeli military response

Obasanjo attacking me over his loss of relevance -Kashamu

Chairman of the Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South West, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, on Saturday explained why he had allegedly become the target of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s alleged “wicked campaign of calumny and blackmail.” Kashamu, who was reacting to Obasanjo’s latest letter to National Chairman, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, in which the ex-President resigned his membership of the PDP, attributed the former president’s alleged onslaught against him to his “perceived loss of political relevance in Ogun State and the South West.” Obasanjo, had, in his recent letters to President Goodluck Jonathan and Tukur, kicked against Kashamu’s continued control of the PDP machinery in his home state of Ogun and the South-West. The former president had also described the PDP chief as a wanted criminal, who should not be seen around Jonathan or made the leader of the party in the South West. But Kashamu in his reaction entitled, ‘Re: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s Letter to Tukur’, stated that he was not responsible for whatever political woes that had befallen the former president. He added that Obasanjo was only smarting from his alleged loss of political relevance in the South West. Part of Kashamu’s reply read,”My attention has been drawn to yet another letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the National Chairman of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, frowning on my allegedly being made the leader of the party in the South West. “He called me ‘a wanted habitual criminal…for whom extradition has been requested by the US Government…’ “Ordinarily, I would not have responded to his latest cocktail of lies having sufficiently addressed the same issue in my response to his letter to the President only a few weeks ago. However, since he has shown that he is too embittered to be assuaged by that response, I am constrained to do another. “First, it is now clear to all and sundry that why I have become the target of Obasanjo’s wicked campaign of calumny and blackmail is his perceived loss of political relevance in Ogun State and the South West. In his 18-page satanic letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, I was the other person – indeed the only one (after the President) – that he singled out for his venomous attack. But if the truth be told, I am not the architect of whatever political woes that he is suffering today. “Like David, I am just a tool in the hands of the almighty Allah Subhana wa tala. I am too small to confront a Goliath like him but for the almighty Allah who is the supporter of the suppressed and oppressed. “In his usual hypocritical manner, he talked about not being able to work with me because of his principles and decency. But the questions Nigerians should ask him are: where were these principles when he used me to fight Gbenga Daniel? Where was his self-righteousness when I took the party structure from Daniel and handed it to Obasanjo? “Where was his decency when he brought Gen. Adetunji Olurin to me and asked that I should roll my structure behind his the governorship ambition? Where was his morality when he introduced me to South West PDP leaders like Engr. Segun Oni, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd) and a host of others? Where was his discipline when he hosted me severally in his Hilltop mansion, taking me into his bedroom and innermost recesses? Where was his decency when he accepted donations from me to his church and other concerns?  Where was his gumption when he mounted the rostrum to sing my praises, praying for me as he did in May 2010 during a reception for the former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye? I can go on and on! “Let me state from the outset that contrary to Obasanjo’s claim, I am not the leader of the party in the South West. I am just one of the party’s foot soldiers in the zone.

NNPC Admits Spending $10.8b Missing" Money

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday explained how it incurred the $10.8 billion expenditure that is undergoing reconciliation by various agencies of the Federal Government at the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) According to the corporation, “the sum in question has been expenditure incurred as art of statutory responsibilities which the NNPC as the National Oil Company executes on behalf of the Federal Government and by extension the entire people of Nigeria.” While insisting that the fund is not missing, the Group Managing Director (GMD), Engr. Andrew Yakubu, who was represented by the Group Executive Director, Finance and Accounts Directorate, Mr. Bernard Otti, at a press conference in Abuja, added that $8.49 billion subsidy claim for 2012 was part of the $10.8 billion. The GMD recalled that for many years, the NNPC has been the main supplier of the subsidised Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Yakubu claimed that the Federal Government had not made payment to the corporation in the name of subsidy during the period under review. He noted that “pipeline management and repair cost is $1.22 billion while product/crude oil losses is $0.72 billion and cost of holding the strategic reserve stock is $.7 billion.” These, he said, are being subject to the normal continuing inter-agencies reconciliation exercise. Yakubu submitted that “as long as it is a transaction, it is always work in progress.” Speaking, the NNPC Director of Transformation and Coordination of Data and Corporate Planning, Dr. Tim Okon, noted that the pipelines are constantly being hacked into and there is no budget from which the corporation can recover the cost. According to him, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) offers a mechanism for which under the subsidy regime there is a certain claim to make from importation or distribution of petroleum products. “However, that template does not have any recovery mechanism for pipelines. Everyone needs to be aware that pipelines are constantly being vandalised in Nigeria, and there is a constant cost of keeping those pipelines running are the cost we are reflecting here,” said Okon. He however stated that the NNPC Act allows the corporation to defray the cost, adding that Nigeria buy 445 million barrel of oil per day in order to import products to the citizenry. The GMD stated that petroleum products are subject to theft as there has always been a loss of 30% of crude before arrival at Port Harcourt Refineries. His words: The other point to be made is that the products themselves are subject to theft. Again, if you look at the PortHarcourt Refineries, in many cases, by the time you send crude through that pipeline system, when it arrives at the refineries, about 30 per cent of it is already lost “NNPC has to accounted for that 30 per cent that is lost. It is criminal and that cost is reflected here in the 0.72 billion.”

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Senate Disassociates Self From Sen Enag's Statement On Defection Of Senators

The leadership of the Senate yesterday told the Chairman of its Committee on Rules and Business, Chief Ita Enang, that he went beyond his brief in threatening the 22 PDP Senators said to be on their way to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with sack from the chamber.

Several other Senators said Enang got it all wrong on the matter.

Senator Enang had, at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, vowed that the 22 Senators would automatically lose their seats and be escorted out of the chamber once they formally announce their defection.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe, dismissed Enang’s statement as strictly his “personal opinion”.

Abaribe said while Enang is entitled to his opinion,it should not be mistaken as the Senate’s.

The statement, he added ,also has nothing to do with the President of the Senate who had, in an earlier statement,said that the leadership of the PDP would work to keep the PDP intact and prevent further crisis in within its fold.

Abaribe said that the chamber is still on recess and that only after deliberations upon its resumption on January 14 “ would any statement on urgent matters of state be issued.”

He added:”It is, therefore, preposterous to attribute the personal opinion of a Senator to represent the resolution of the Senate and its highly respected leadership as exemplified by Senate President Mark.

“Senate position as statutory is always relayed by its spokesman in which case it becomes safe to say that Senate has spoken.”

The Senate,he pointed out, is at peace and there is nothing to suggest that its members are working at cross purposes .

“It is one whole family of patriotic Nigerians who first and foremost defers to issues that are of national interest.

“The Senate, as currently constituted, is peopled by very distinguished Nigerians who see the institution for what it is; a hallowed chamber whose decisions and resolutions are shaped by honour and love for country”, he said.

In his reaction, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Education,Chief Olusola Adeyeye, described Enang’s postulations as a “blackmail.”

Adeyeye said Enang spoke without the mandate of the Senate and, therefore, was speaking for himself and that nobody can “detract or subtract from the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freedom of association.”

Adeyeye said:”Senator Ita Enang would do well not to arrogate powers which he does not have to himself.

“On this matter, Senator Ita Enang is speaking for himself. He does not even have the mandate to speak for the entire Senate on this matter. We want to make it clear that Senators would make their opinions known when they resume from the Yuletide break next week.

“The National Assembly should be the foundation of freedom in this country. It is supposed to guarantee the freedom of Nigerians, subject, of course, to the rights of the constituents of lawmaker, if he’s not following the dictates of his people.

“We warn those attempting to blackmail lawmakers that that tactic will backfire. Legislators should be free to stand by their conscience without any threat of blackmail. The laws of the land are clear on movement from one party to another and nobody should assume a position of authority he does not hold.”

Adeyeye further wondered why Enang, who has been in the National Assembly since 1999 ,has never voiced any opinion when members defected from other parties to the PDP.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Senator Victor Lar, also faulted Enang, saying the declaration of any lawmaker’s seat vacant can only be ordered by a court of law.

He said:”This is a time when healing of those aggrieved within the PDP is required.”

Senator Enang had argued that electoral positions are contested on party basis and not on individual basis.

Enang had said: “The party is sovereign and if one is not granted the ticket by his party, the political ambition of the person suffers a setback.

“Therefore, when legislators are elected into the National Assembly, they are voted in on the basis of the political party to which they belong and not on individual grounds.”

Five governors and 37 members of the House of Representatives and 27 members of the Sokoto House of Assembly and other PDP leaders across the country have already dumped the party for the APC.

Obj Writes PDP,Withdraws From All Its Activities (See Copy of Letter)

President Olusegun Obasanjo has fired another letter, this time, to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, in which he gave a notice of his withdrawal from the activities of the party. Obasanjo also sent a copy of the letter to President Goodluck Jonathan as National Leader of the party. The former president, in the letter, said he was withdrawing from all activities of the party because the PDP had been negating the principles of morality, decency and discipline in its decisions, especially as they affect the South West where he comes from. The letter, dated January 7, 2014, according to a source at the national secretariat of the party, was received in the office of Tukur on Wednesday, 8 January, 2014. It is believed that President Jonathan also got his own copy on Thursday. Obasanjo accused the party leadership of imposing someone (names witheld), who he described as a criminal wanted abroad, on the party as its South West zonal leader and proceeded to add that he was forwarding with the letter, “recent documents” on the alleged activities of the person. Efforts to get copies of the “recent documents” by Saturday Tribune from both the PDP national secretariat as well as from Obasanjo’s side were, however, not successful but a source at PDP’s national secretariat confirmed that the letter came with attachments. He did not give further details. The three paragraph letter reads: “While I believe that a good and truly national political party must be a microcosm of the nation in its membership, made up of all sorts of characters from near-saints to near-satan, I also believe that on no account should a known habitual criminal that is wanted abroad to face criminal charges levelled against him be extolled as a political leader in a respectable and wholesome nation-building political party.“(...Names witheld) has been so extolled in PDP in South-West geo-political zone which I personally find unsavoury. Politics played by any national political party must have morality, decency, discipline, principles and leadership examples as cardinal practices of the party. I have attached here recent documents that clearly indicate that your extolled PDP Zonal Leader in the South-West zone of Nigeria and an indigene of Ogun State is, to say the least, not a credit to the party as a member, let alone being a zonal leader. “Since I stick in my practice of party politics to the hallowed and cherished principles enunciated above, I take this opportunity to let you know that while I continue to remain a card-carrying member of PDP, I cannot and I will not subscribe to a wanted habitual criminal being installed as my zonal leader in the party; a criminal for whom extradition has been requested by the US government. In the meantime, I will consider withdrawing my activity with PDP at local, state, zonal and national levels until the anomalous and shameful situation is corrected.” A meeting of South West leaders of the party, it was gathered, will hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, today and may also come up with far-reaching decisions on the future of the party in the zone.

2015: INEC projects 40% expenditure increase

The Independent National Electoral Commission has projected a 40 per cent increase in its expenditure for the 2014 budget. In the proposed budget presented by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, INEC’s expenditure was projected to increase by 40 per cent to N45bn from N32bn in 2013.’ It was gathered that the increased funding was necessitated by intensified preparations in the run-up to the 2015 elections. The budget, which is themed ‘Budget for job creation and inclusive growth,’ estimated aggregate expenditure at N4.64tn, a decrease of 5.69 per cent from the budget expenditure of N4.92tn in 2013. Projected total revenue is N3.73tn, 4.11 per cent less than the 2013’s revenue estimates of N3.89tn. According to Iweala, the decline in aggregate expenditure is attributed to losses in cleared oil revenue particularly due to oil theft. However, the percentage of aggregate expenditure to be spent on capital expenditure decreased from 31.34 per cent in 2013 to 27 per cent in the 2014 budget, while recurrent expenditure increased from 68.66 per cent in 2013 to 73 per cent. Analysts said this was contrary to the fiscal strategy adopted over the past two years, geared towards correcting the lopsided imbalance between recurrent and capital spending. The strategy, according to them, has succeeded in lowering recurrent spending from 74.4 per cent in 2011 to 68 per cent in 2013 while raising capital from 25.6 per cent to 32 per cent within the same time span. Notwithstanding the decrease in aggregate expenditure, the fiscal deficit is projected to increase, although marginally to 1.9 per cent from 1.85 per cent in 2013. In addition, the budget projects a 0.86 per cent reduction in domestic borrowing to N572bn from N577bn in 2013, implying an increase in external borrowing. The budget makes a provision of N712bn for debt service, compared to the 2013 level of N591.8bn.

I Am Heading To The Senate In 2015..Gov Uduaghan

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Thursday, declared his intention to run for Delta South senatorial district election in 2015. Uduaghan, while speaking with journalists in Asaba, said that there was an unwritten zonal arrangement on where the senatorial race would go at every point in time. He said: “This unwritten understanding gives the opportunity to the Itsekiri race, in the senatorial district, to take its turn and I have every right to do that. “When it comes to the issue of election, I have a lot to offer, but the election being one year from now  is not what I should break my head  over.” Refuting the allegation that he was defecting to another political party, Uduaghan said that there was no need for such a move. He added that he was a foundation and a life time member of People’s Democratic Party, PDP.  “There is nothing that will ever make me to leave the party. I will swim and sink in PDP and I also know that the party will not sink. I will continue to be a member of PDP because Delta is a complete PDP state. “Few persons in the opposition parties who have not defected to PDP are still waiting for a date to do so,” he said. He assured the people of the state and Nigeria at large that the present challenge facing the party would soon become a thing of the past, adding  that PDP remained a strong-based party that would be difficult to beat. Uduaghan announced that PDP was already putting some strategies in place to address its challenges. The governor, who  commended the party faithful in the state and its members in the state and  the National Assembly, appealed to them to support the party, President Goodluck Jonathan and his 2015 political ambition.

Ogun APC memebers in bloody clash

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) witnessed a theatre of war on Thursday, as thugs took over the state secretariat of the party in Abeokuta, the state capital. The suspected thugs arrived at the secretariat armed with clubs, bottles, iron, charms and other dangerous weapons. It was confusion around Leme area of Abeokuta, as the hoodlums stormed the secretariat to disrupt a meeting of members of the harmonisation committee of the party. They had apparently got wind of a meeting scheduled for the secretariat by National Assembly members from the party and threatened to deal with anyone that dared to hold any meeting in the secretariat. They pounced on artisans who were going about their lawful businesses close to the secretariat and beat up many of them, while one of them was stabbed on the biceps of his left arm. Car dealers got a bitter taste of the brute of the attackers, with two of the vehicles on display had their windscreens smashed. People, who live on Abiola Way, where the secretariat is located, shot the scenes created by the thugs from far distance, having witnessed the magnitude of the attack on others. Journalists, who raced to the scene to have it captured in film, went through hell in the hands of the thugs and sustained various degrees of injuries, just as cameras of two television stations (MITV and Galaxy) and cell phones of reporters were forcefully taken by the thugs. The suspected thugs vandalised property and pounced on journalists who had come to cover the meeting at about 10.30 a.m. National Assembly members of the party who had planned to hold a meeting at the secretariat had to detour to Iwe Iroyin, where they addressed newsmen. Soldiers and policemen at the scene of the chaos were watching the hoodlums attacking the innocent journalists with weapons, with the hoodlums carting the items away. Meanwhile, members of the state harmonisation committee, led by Senator Gbenga Kaka, during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, kicked against any form of imposition from any quarters in the constitution of the committee. The press conference had in attendance Senators Gbenga Obadara and Akin Odunsi. Seven out of nine members of the House of Representatives from the state, Honourables Segun Williams, Olumide Osoba, Adekunle Adeyemi, Abiodun Abdul-Balogun, Kehinde Odeneye, Bukola Buraimoh and Babatunde Ogunola, were also in attendance. Others at the conference included the national ex-officio of the party, Yemi Sanusi; the state chairman of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Alhaji Olalekan Wasiu and Alhaji A. Bajo.  Kaka said members of the interim executive committee were Chief Sunday Sowunmi (treasurer), Honourable Ogunola (organising secretary) and himself being the secretary, while the chairman would be nominated by the state  governor and the public relations officer to be nominated by the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Kaka said members of the party were opposed to some people who had decided to be parading themselves as acting chairmen, interim executives at the state, local government wards and polling units with no legal backing. The members, according to Kaka, were attempting to usurp the functions of the yet-to-be inaugurated harmonisation committee, saying that the act had led into commotion in all the 236 wards in the state. The federal lawmaker said the formal inauguration of the harmonisation committee was fixed for Thursday at 4.00 p.m, to be conducted by the South-West zonal vice chairman of the party, saying that the inauguration was put off, following an attempt to manipulate the exercise. “Following the apparent attempt at manupulating our constitution and breaching the national guidelines, the inauguration was purportedly put-off. “However, having formed the majority of the harmonisation committee membership and believing that nature abhors vaccum, there is the need for purposeful leadership. “After the inaugural meeting of the interim state executive, modalities for the structure formation at the local government, wards and polling units shall be put in place for a smooth registration of our members. “Loyal members of our great party are advised to stay calm in the face of provocation from any quaters and totally reject any imposition in whatever guise. “All illegal structures and committees put in place at various levels are null and void and are of no effect whatsoever. All ongoing illegal registration as well are equally invalid and should be disregarded,” he said. Addressing party loyalists and National Assembly members after the situation had been brought under control, a former governor of the state and leader of APC, Chief Olusegun Osoba, said it was regrettable that the state government could unleash terror on the same people that stood through thick and thin for him to be elected in 2011. He charged APC members in the state to adopt a tit-for-tat approach against the pro-government faction of the party henceforth, promising never to restrain anyone from retaliating unprovoked attacks. “I have been holding people from retaliating unprovoked attack. But henceforth, I am not going to restrain anyone. If they hit you on the right cheek, do not turn the left one to them. If they blow hot, you should also blow hot,” he said. Reacting to Osoba’s threat, however, the interim chairman of the state chapter of APC, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello, accused the former governor of fuelling crisis within the party. Bello alleged that the national leader of the party was masterminding the violence that happened at the party secretariat. He also alleged that the thugs that unleashed terror on the journalists and residents were brought from Lagos.  “It was a great surprise that a new dimension is being introduced into the politicking of Ogun State, more so, from so-called responsible politicians that the people give very high regards. “But unfortunately, early this morning, we got a report from our staff at the secretariat that some people just came to attack them for no just cause and in the process, they injured some of our staff there. “I had to quickly phone them and the police that they should vacate the secretariat, because this is a party that does not believe in violence. “However, immediately after the attack, which was so much unexpected, we learnt that our revered leader, Chief Osoba, also came with the members of the National Assembly and addressed them that he was spoiling for a fight, he was ready for a fight. “I would not believe that he said so, because he happens to be a builder of this party and they say what you build you don’t destroy. And as an elder statesman, every expectation is that he should always play a mediatory role in case of any issue whatsoever. “The unfortunate issue is when our leader was even addressing them, there were sporadic gunshots into the air. One could not imagine what the mission was. But thank God, because of the maturity of the leadership of the APC in Ogun State, we never intended to meet violence with violence. It is our plan to curb violence in this state. We place the issue on the record,” he said. The Ogun APC interim chairman also alleged that the thugs who unleashed violence at the party secretariat were brought in from Lagos. “Generally, we all believed that they came in a van; they relatively came from Lagos. You will agree with me that  the van came through Kobape into our state. “So, by inference, they came from Lagos and they must have been brought by  people that  have ulterior motive to disrupt the peace.”

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I Am Miles Ahead Of All Former Nigerian Leaders In Performance..

President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged his critics to compare the achievement of his administration with any other before they criticise saying that his administration has in two years and eight months performed better than any administration past and present in the country.

The president, who was addressing People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts from the north western zone of Nigeria who were in the Presidential Villa on a solidarity visit, said that it is blackmail for anyone to say that he is anti-north, insisting that he was the first to establish nine universities in the north at one time as well as the Almajiri schools to emancipate people from the shackles of poverty.

He decried the challenges of insecurity in the north promising that he will do more for them by the time he gets rid of insurgency in that part of the country.

The president called on the ministers of state for works, education, mines, agriculture and power to give a bit of their scorecard one by one in the north western zone in line with the transformation agenda of the administration..

A former chairman of the PDP and leader of the delegation, Dr Alero Mohammed reeled out the efforts of the administration and promised to support the president at all times.

He also reports that the president called on them to see  the amalgamation which brought Nigerians together  as a source of unity promising to use the national dialogue to cement the bond.

Meanwhile, some of the politicians in the delegation said the visit was an eye opener to what the Jonathan administration has been doing since its inception.

Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting  Mr Mohammed Abacha, the son of late Head of State, General Sanni Abacha, described what is happening in the northern part of the country as unfortunate, calling on those who critcise the administration to be careful because it might be their turn and they will be the ones to be criticised.

On his part, Senator Hamisu Musa said it is unfortunate that many Nigerians feign ignorance of the transformation agenda. He likened what is happening in the political space as a gang up against the administration that is doing well.

Don't Contest 2015 Election..Prof Nwabueze Again Tells Goodluck

Renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, yesterday in Enugu reiterated his advice to President Goodluck Jonathan to jettison his rumoured bid to seek for a second term in office, in view of the precarious situation in the country, insisting that it was only on this basis that the president could become a great hero of democracy.   Briefing newsmen on the activities of the Concerned Igbo Leaders of Thought which he leads, Nwabueze said history would judge the president right if he ensures the return of peace and unity to the country, noting that it would be difficult for the president to be mobilising Nigerians for a National Conference and at the same time for his rumoured second term bid. “I’ve advised him to please, please try and be a hero and a statesman and forget 2015, that the day you announce to Nigerians that you are not going to stand for election in 2015, you will become an instant hero. “You cannot combine two things at the same time. We have a national conference which is clearly a mobilisation for national transformation without bloody revolution and of course the general election. “I said to him you have to mobilise Nigerians for this transformation through the conference and you are also planning to mobilise the people to vote for you in 2015. You can’t combine the two. I stand by my advice. I will continue to stand by my advice,” the elder statesman noted. On the proposed conference, Nwabueze, who refused to make the letter to the president public, said it was for the sake of courtesy. He explained that the letter was signed by respected elders from all the states of the South-east zone on behalf of Ndigbo, adding that what they were canvassing for had already received the endorsement of the Yoruba, the people of the South-south zone, as well as the Ethnic Nationalities’ Movement of Nigeria (ENMN). He said the letter by Ndigbo to the president was premised on the fact that the PAC had deviated from the recommendations of The Patriots in their memorandum presented to the president during their visit of August 29, 2013 particularly the elucidation on the fundamental attributes of the type of conference being demanded. He said they made three basic demands which included the adoption of an entirely new constitution for the country, the subjection of the outcome of the conference to a referendum, and securing the enabling law from the National Assembly authorising the conference. He said PAC completely overlooked the demands. “We want a conference that will adopt a suitable new constitution embodying re-negotiated terms and conditions on which the diverse ethnic groups comprised in Nigeria should live together in peace, security, progress, prosperity, general wellbeing and unity as one country under a central government, the result of whose deliberations will be integrated into the existing 1999 constitution. “The conference we are demanding is the conference for the adoption of a new constitution for Nigeria not the one whose deliberations will be integrated. The 1999 constitution is one only in a loose sense not in a strict sense of the original act of the people. “The original act of the people is that we have never had a constitution right from the colonial era. After all these years, we said the people of the country as a sovereign people should be given the opportunity to adapt a constitution for themselves. “Particularly for the Igbos, we need to sit with other ethnic groups to renegotiate the terms and conditions upon which we shall live together. The conference of ethnic nationalities making up the Nigerian state as a pivot or focal point, not a conference of individual Nigerians as autonomous entities or of interest groups,” he said. The Igbo leader also cautioned the National Assembly against attempting to reject the executive bill asking for the conference to be authorised, noting that such could result in a major crisis in the country He, however, ruled out the possibility of the country breaking up as a result of the protests that might trail such action.

FG Declares January 14th Public Holiday

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, January14, 2014 as a public holiday to commemorate the Eid-el-Malulud Muslim celebration. The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, in a statement signed Thursday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele. Moro enjoined all Muslims and Nigerians in general to support, co-operate and join hands with President Goodluck Jonathan, in his sustained effort to build peaceful, united and virile nation. The minister, while wishing Nigerians a happy Eid-el-maulud celebration further urged all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace across the nation.     "This is to further urge Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace across the nation, while wishing all Nigerians a happy Eid-el-Malud Celebration", he said.

James Ibori To Complete Jail Term In Nigeria

The government United Kingdom (UK) in line with prisoners transfer and exchange agreement with the Federal Government has concluded plans to repatriate former governor of Delta state, James Ibori and many other Nigerians in various UK Prisons, in order to complete their jail terms in the country. In addition, the British government has also promised to give the country one million pounds [about N280 million] to assist on comprehensive reformation of the Nigerian Prisons for the comfort of the inmates. This was disclosed Thursday by the UK Minister of Justice, Mr. Jeremy Wright while fielding questions with journalists when he visited the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro to finalise the process of prisoner exchange between Britain and Nigeria

Oshomole gives plantain chips

After his GO AND DIE episode with a widow in Benin, Governor Adams Oshiomhole during an inspection of works around New Benin in Edo State, stopped to buy plantain chips from this little girl and from information, he went on to issue her with a cheque of N1,000,000 to further her educatio