Femi Kayode Reacts To Nigeria To Become 34th Member Of Muslim Nations
Al Jazeera says Nigeria is now part of “34 member coalition of muslim nations”, see Femi Kayode reaction below;
18 Dec 2015
Wizkid's Girlfriend Tania Omotayo Releases New Modeling Photos
she is such a beauty...See another photo...
Naira In Free Fall, Slides To 280 Against Dollar
The naira continued its free fall on Thursday, crashing to 280 against the United States dollar at the parallel market. The greenback sold for N269 on Wednesday.
The naira, which had been trading around 241 and 243 against the greenback for a long time, began a steady decline about three weeks ago when the Central Bank of Nigeria stopped the sale of foreign exchange to over 1,600 Bureaux De Change operators due to improper documentation.
On Wednesday, however, the CBN cut the amount it sold to each of the 2,270 BDCs that participated in the weekly forex sale to $10,000, down from the $30,000 it sold to them last week.
While the central bank sold $84.5m to the BDCs last week, the amount was reduced to $23m on Wednesday.
According to analysts, the significant cut in forex supply to the BDCs coupled with the existing huge unmet demand at the CBN official window has led to the recent pressure on the naira at the parallel market.
Businesses have been struggling to access dollars as the CBN rations the greenback to preserve the country’s external reserves, which stood at $29.46bn as of December 15.
Analysts said the continued fall of the naira against the US currency at the black market could cause further inflation and affect businesses negatively with much backlash for the economy.
At the official interbank market, the currency has been pegged since February and closed at 196.97 on Wednesday.
Economic and financial experts have linked the continued fall of the naira at the parallel market to several reasons, ranging from the administrative controls imposed by the central bank to the speculative demand for the dollar by individuals and businesses.
They, however, said that unless the CBN took major steps to address the situation as soon as possible, the naira might be headed for 300 against the dollar.
A number of economists, who spoke to our correspondent on Thursday, said the devaluation of the naira was inevitable.
“Naira at 280 against the dollar at the parallel market is more speculative than being market-driven. The reason for this continued fall can be linked to a combination of factors. Well, the naira should find its equilibrium,” the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said.
Rewane had said that the devaluation of the naira was inevitable considering the margin between the value of the currency at the official market and the parallel market.
The Managing Director, Eczellon Capital, an investment bank and research firm, Mr. Diekola Onaolapo, said that considering the continued pressure on the local currency, “devaluation of the naira seems almost inevitable; we may need to devalue.”
He, however, said the current pressure on the currency might also be linked to the end-of-the-year rush, which bordered on foreigners having the need for dollars to travel out of the country for vacation.
Onaolapo is also of the opinion that the latest pressure on the naira may not have any major macroeconomic backlash on the economy.
The Head, Research and Investment Advisory, Afrinvest West Africa, Mr. Ayodeji Ebo, said the N80 spread between the value of the naira at the official and parallel markets would breed round-tripping and other sharp practices, calling on the CBN to take steps to address the situation by devaluing the naira.
He said, “The unrelenting slide in the value of the naira can be attributed to the hawkish administrative forex policies of the CBN to safe the naira. These policies are now a sting in the tail as businesses are struggling to survive.
“The CBN needs to be realistic in its strategies given that the main source (crude oil) of its forex has continued to wane. Unless a deliberate effort to devalue the naira by a minimum of 25.0 per cent to N248.6/US$1.00 (our forecast) within the next few weeks to reduce the arbitrage between the official market and parallel (unofficial) market, we would not be surprise to see the naira trade around N300.00/US$1.00. The existing spread (over N80.00/US$1.00) has incentivized round-tripping among major players in the forex market.”
Currency strategist at Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Kunle Ezun, linked the naira’s freefall at the parallel market to supply problem.
The Head of Portfolio Investment at Meristem, a research and investment advisory firm, Mr. Taiwo Yusuf, said, “The administrative controls are not working. We cannot wish away the demand. The administrative controls imposed by the CBN are making it difficult for us to have a stable naira.
“We are pushing ourselves towards being a productive economy but we are not yet there. We may need to take steps that will help to attract foreign portfolio investments into the country and keep them here for the main time. Otherwise, the current situation may bring imported inflation and hurt to businesses.”
However, the Director, Monetary Policy Department, CBN, Mr. Moses Tule, blamed the action of speculators on the pressure being suffered by the naira in the foreign exchange market.
Tule said in a statement that the naira was under pressure as a result of the actions of speculators, whom he noted had taken positions on the naira with a view to making excess gain from currency trading.
He said the currency speculators were determined to put severe pressure on the monetary authorities in order to ensure that the CBN further devalued the naira.
The CBN, according to him, has a responsibility to manage the economy and will do anything to protect it from those he described as “economic predators.”
While maintaining that the only rate in the currency market was N196.47 to a dollar, he wondered why indigenous operators in the Bureau de Change segment of the market chose to make huge profits at the expense of customers in genuine need of the currency.
Tule said, “We know what the fundamentals of this economy are and we will continue to take the right economic decisions on what to do and not when people sitting out there speculating on the currency think the naira should be devalued so that they could make profit out of it.
“No country quotes its exchange rate with reference to the BDCs rates. The currency has a reference rate and that is the interbank exchange rate.”
Copyright PUNCH.
Unclad Corpse Of Rape Victim Dumped In Ikorodu (Graphic Photos)
One needs to be very careful especially during the festive period where bloodsuckers and human hunters are on the prowl seeking for whom to devour….
According to online reports, these two ladies were founded dead at Ikorodu area in Lagos after allegedly being raped -judging from the photos shared online.
Their corpses were dumped in a bush withing the area. May their souls rest in peace.
See more photos below;-
Yahoo Boy Runs Mad In Lagos; Jumps Out Of His Range Rover And Tears Clothes -Pic
So I got a broadcast message on my BBM this noon. It’s about a yahoo boy who reportedly ran mad on Lagos Island.
On interrogating the sender, he briefed TalkGlitz on how the whole scene went down.
The young man (name withheld) according to witness just packed his car (Range Rover), jumped out and started tearing his clothes. In no time, he was totally undressed. Then he started moving around the mainroad of Lagos Island snapping with his iPhone 6 and a cardboard held in his hand.
Well, nobody can actually explain what befell his but it’s obviously not something natural. Few persons around the scene identified him as one of the prominent yahoo boys within the neighbourhood.
Checkout No Make Up Photo Of Chidinma Ekile...looks alittle different though
make ups has its way of amplifying beauty in every womans facial beauty,this photo speaks more of it,but she is still a beauty though a bit differently...What do u think?
NNPC Set To Sack 1,100 Staff
He also stated that the country no longer has the resources to fund its oil and gas industry, and it is, therefore, considering and developing new models of financing for the industry in the days ahead.
Kachikwu, who spoke at a town-hall meeting in Abuja, yesterday, disclosed that in January 2016, the final decision on the fate of the country’s refineries would likely be made. He also stated that arrangements have been concluded to adopt a price modulation mechanism that would see the corporation setting a price ceiling of between N87 and N97 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol.
Kachikwu, who doubles as the Group Managing Director of NNPC said, “Financing is going to be a key component of our goal because new models of financing would have to emerge. The country does not have the sort of resources to continue to fund the oil industry. As we go upstream, we are going to begin to see a lot of innovative financing mechanism to provide funding for the oil industry.”
“My dream, if I achieve it, is that by the end of 2016, we would completely exit cash calls and be able to find our funds one way to help support our business and get a lot more autonomy in terms of running the industry and report, basically, profit to the Federal Government.”
On the unbundling process, Kachikwu said the NNPC would be broken into four key components, namely: the upstream company, downstream company, the midstream company, which is gas and power marketing, and the refining group holding company.
According to him, one of the major restructuring efforts would be in making the headquarters operations cost effective, hence, about more than half of its 2,200 core headquarters staff would be whittled down, with a lot of the affected staff assigned to the subsidiaries to help make the units more efficient and profitable.
Kachikwu said, come January 2016, strategic decisions would be made in terms of what areas of the country’s refineries would be closed to allow for full re-kitting before reopening them for operations while it would also be considering the best-operating model for the refineries.
“Ultimately, technical support, technical services, and technical joint venturing would also be models we would be looking at and reviewing in terms of the refineries. The whole idea is to find the funds, find the right skills that you need, support the skills that you have and try to give out, real-time, above 90 per cent consistent performance in refining.”
On the issue of fuel subsidy removal and subsequent hike in the price of PMS (Petrol), Kachikwu stated that, “One thing we are very committed to next year, is to reduce the level of Federal Government subsidy, if any, to the industry, so that the industry can grow on its own strength. We can do that without the mechanism of saying subsidy is being removed or whatever but have a benchmark approach to setting prices. We are going to see a lot more quarterly type analysis of what prices would go for the downstream industry, relative to the price of crude oil,” he stated.
“The report that fuel is going to sell for 97 was not a correct. I did not say refined products will sell for N97. I said that between a band of N87 and N97 per litre, we are going to be looking at prices. Today, the prices are largely close to N87, so there might be no need to change prices,” he added.
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government was considering allocating a number of marginal oil fields to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), if it performs creditably, so as to help it increase its crude oil reserves base.
He also disclosed that a much more focused audit would be conducted on the operations and activities of the NPDC, to ascertain its asset base and also determine whether it is increasing or depleting its reserves.
Speaking on NNPC’s financials, he said: “Most of the management accounts up to 2014 are fairly finished; we are now looking at external audits. Audits were last done in 2010. We have brought the management accounts up to current; the external audits are ongoing; the 2012 to 2014 audits we expect would be done by March next year, which would bring us likely current.”
According to Kachikwu, the focus of the Federal Government is to get the NNPC back to profitability to ensure the sustenance of the company, while it is also targeting an increase of Nigeria crude oil production to 2.4 million per day in 2016.
N8billion has been refunded to government treasury - Dino Melaye
“As I speak to you, about eight billion Naira has been refunded back to the treasury of government and I know more monies will be refunded”he said
'I Won't Apologise for Kneeling in Church' - Ooni of Ife Replies Critics
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has berated critics who condemned him for kneeling in church at the Paul’s Anglican Church, Ife, Osun State, during his coronation thanksgiving service.
A picture showing the monarch kneeling down during the installation thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Anglican, Ile Ife, on Sunday, December 13th, had gone viral on internet, attracting diverse comments
While many that commented on the picture saw no wrong in the action of the newly installed monarch, many were of the view that the act desecrated the revered stool of Ooni.
In a statement signed by the Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, Moses Olafare, the Ooni says it is an unacceptable sacrilege to equate Ooni’risa or any other king to the almighty God.
The statement read:
''The attention of Ile Oodua has been drawn to a publication released Wednesday 16th 2015 by an online medium known as NEWSPUNCH in which His Imperial Majesty, Ooni’risa & Arole Oodua Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi(OjajaII) was criticized for bowing to God.
God remains the highest, the king of kings who has kept all kings alive and has made it possible for me to be crowned as the king of the source of Yoruba civilisation.
“I have no regrets whatsoever for kneeling down to exalt the almighty God who did not only create me, but also kept me alive, saw me through all the storms in my, life-journey and eventually crowned me as the custodian of Oodua race.
“This act of equating me to God of gods of king of kings and the sole owner of the universe is a wicked sacrilege planned to embarrass the throne. My emergence as Oba has been made possible only by the almighty Olodumare to whom I remain eternally grateful.”Oba Ogunwusi was chosen as the new Ooni of Ife in October, 2015 following the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade who passed away in London on July 28.
He was subsequently crowned on November 23, 2015 in a secret ceremony in Ile-Ife.
This Snake Keeper has been Killed by his Favourite Pet - a King Cobra
The man, known only as Vladmir, died within minutes of being bitten by the cobra - one of the most poisonous snakes in the world.
Anna, his girlfriend, was with the 21-year-old old at his flat in south-central Russia's Samara Oblast region, when the reptile attacked. She told police he was feeding the King Cobra when it suddenly struck him.
Its venom is considered to be among the most powerful of all poisonous snakes.
Vladimir collapsed and died in Anna's arms in a matter of minutes.
His terrified girlfriend immediately called an ambulance but there was nothing medics could do for him when they arrived.
Anna said:
"Vladimir was not afraid of his poisonous serpents and liked playing with them. His collection of snakes included a green mamba, a red spitting cobra and the king cobra, which killed him.
He had only had the snake for a short time."MirrorUk reports that Vladimir began collecting snakes only two years ago and his social media profile was filled with pictures of them.
It is unclear what will happen to the snakes, although Anna has said she does not want to take care of them.
But it is likely she will have no trouble selling off the king cobra which is highly prized among collectors around the world.
The snake - Ophiophagus hannah - is predominantly found in forests from India through to Southeast Asia.
This species is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 18.8 feet.
Shiite Leader not in Army’s Custody - Buratai
“As a responsible and law abiding organization, we will do all that we can to always safeguard lives and property. As for the whereabouts of the Shi’ite leader, he is not in our custody; he has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for prosecution because we don’t prosecute. What happened was avoidable and unfortunate, we followed the rules of engagement as enshrined in the constitution but what happened still happened,” he said.
WAEC Releases November/December 2015 GCE Result, 48% Pass Recorded
The West African Examination Council (WAEC), has released the long awaited November/December 2015 General Certificate Examination (GCE) result.
Announcing the release of the results at a news conference in Lagos, the Head, National Office of the Council, Mr. Isaac Adenipekun, said of the total 237,154 candidates who sat for the examinations, 235,542 candidates, representing 99.32% have their results fully processed and released.
He said 1,612 candidates, representing 0.68%, have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors, traceable mainly to the candidates in the course of registration or writing the examination. Such errors are being corrected by the Council to enable the affected candidates have their results.
On the performance of candidates, Mr. Adenipekun said that 79,490 candidates, representing 33.51% obtained 6 credits and above; 113,573 candidates, representing 47.88% obtained 5 credits.
In addition, 146,253 candidates, representing 61.67% obtained credits and above in 4 subjects, while 175,718 candidates, representing 74.09% obtained credits and above in 3 subjects. A total of 200,304 candidates (84.46%) obtained credits and above in 2 subjects.
The new WAEC HNO, who is announcing his first result, commended all the supervisors, invigilators, custodians, security agencies and other ad-hoc personnel for their commitment and dedication to duty during the conduct of the examination.
He added that the results have been uploaded online and can be accessed on the WAEC result checking website 24hrs from the time of this publication.
Jose Mourinho Sacked As Chelsea Manager
The 52-year-old Portuguese had been in his second spell at the club, taking charge in June 2013. Chelsea finished eight points clear last season and won the League Cup, but have lost nine of their 16 league games so far and are 16th in the table, one point above the relegation places. Mourinho's final match was Monday's 2-1 defeat at leaders Leicester City. Pep Guardiola, Guus Hiddink, Brendan Rodgers and Juande Ramos have all been touted as possible successors as Blues owner Roman Abramovich begins another managerial search. In their full statement, Chelsea Football Club said: "Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent. "All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013. "His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history. "But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways. "The club wishes to make clear Jose leaves us on good terms and will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea. "His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge. "The club's focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential. "There will be no further comment until a new appointment is made. - See more at: http://www.lailasblog.com/2015/12/jose-mourinho-sacked-as-chelsea-manager.html#sthash.E8dAHc29.dpuf
"I Saw Death Face To Face...I Went To Hell And Back"-Prince Eke Narrates His Gruesome Ordeal In The Hands Of His Kidnappers(Disturbing Photos)
Nollywood actor and husband to Muma Gee, Prince Eke was released from the lion's den of kidnappers yesterday, after spending a week in their hands. Starved of food for three days, what we didn't know was that he was kidnapped with his PA, and he was badly brutalised and almost killed in the process of trying to escape but for divine intervention.
Read his terrible ordeal in the hands of these evil people
Driving to Port Harcourt with my PA, around Ubima link into Port Harcourt road from Owerri-Port road. Three guys jumped out of the bush with heavy guns, shooting directly at us driving towards them. As I tried to reverse, two came from the back with guns too. At that point I surrendered shouting ” please don’t shoot, please don’t shoot” they grabbed me and my PA straight into the bush.
At that point, they recognised I was an actor and they got so excited. We walked for a long distance inside the bush after they have already taken every thing on me remaining only my trousers.
They blindfolded and took us to one uncompleted building and then removed the blindfold. They waited till night before they took us by okada for about 30 mins ride to another uncompleted house where someone lives, because I heard voices. There, they took away my Atm cards and requested for my pin, of which I told them.
There in the building, they were 9 of them. One of them went and withdrew all the money in my accounts and they shared among themselves. From there they transferred us to a thick forest at night and told us that this is where we were going to be sleeping till further notice. They chained us as we slept on the bare floor guided with four gunmen. The next day, they brought some dirty wrappers and said that we will sleep like kings today. Then I realised that these were young boys of about 21 / 22 years, as one of them told me his story of becoming a priest but fought and got suspended.
On Monday night, the day I saw death face to face. I noticed that the chains on me wasn’t too tight. So I thought within me that this may be the best time to escape. I pretended to be very cold and asked for wrapper to cover myself, then I started loosening the chains, pushed the guy with the gun and ran into the bush. They chased after me shooting.
The bush was too thick that I can’t even run fast. I kept falling, at the end they caught up with me and I thought this will be the end, one said waste him at once, I was crying and begging them to shoot my legs or do any thing they wish with me but just spare my life. Then one of them hit my head the with Pump action and blood rained on me like one under the shower, my body was soaked in blood. The order came again “I say waste him” and he replied “wait first”.
They beat me mercilessly, that I can’t even open my mouth well up till now or even eat. They were hitting me all over my body with guns and knives. When they saw I could bleed to death, they quickly called my wife and told her that if she didn’t come up with 15 million naira by Thursday that they would bury me alive, to serve as warning to the Federal Govt. and others who think they can joke with their business.
At the end, their boss told them to tie me crocodile style for 3 days without food. They tied my hands, legs and head together for about 3 days. I went to hell and back. I don’t even know how to explain it. All I know is that God was in action, and knows why He gave me another chance.
One of them told me that I am so lucky to still be alive, that any body that tries to escape, is nothing but instant death. At the end, we paid the much we could gather and they freed us.
Coming out from the forest took over 45 mins on bike at high speed. I still can’t believe I’m alive today, now I know that God has a mission for me here on Earth to carry out. And I'm full of gratitude to God for I know now that He has a purpose for my life thus He gave me a second chance.
I say His name alone be praised. I also appreciate everyone for your prayers and support.
Culled from Diamond Celebrities
- See more at: http://www.lailasblog.com/2015/12/i-saw-death-face-to-facei-went-to-hell.html#sthash.OGv4EWV5.dpuf
Chelsea FC releases statement on Jose Mourinho sack
''Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent. All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013. His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history. But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways.''
''The club wishes to make clear Jose leaves us on good terms and will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea. His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge. The club’s focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential.There will be no further comment until a new appointment is made.''
EFCC arrests Stallion Group MD over N1.25billion payment he made to Dasuki, Yuguda
Investigations by EFCC revealed that one of the companies being investigated in the arms deal scandal, Jabbama Company, a bureau de change operator, had received payment of N1.375 billion from Stallion group with a later deduction of N100 million, leaving a balance of N1.275billion. The money was changed into US Dollars ($114,750,000) and handed to Yuguda.
When interrogated about the money he received, Yuguda said the money was for a political purpose and he collected it on behalf of Dasuki. When brought in for questioning, Stallion group MD said that the N1.275 billion he gave Yuguda was at the request of both Dasuki and Yuguda to support their party's election campaign.
More investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Diezani Alison-madueke Is Not Dead
Former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, is not dead, family sources have said.
This is coming after the rumour of her death went viral on social media on Thursday.
According to the report, the former minister died of cancer in London and is being prepared to be flown back to Nigeria on Saturday from the United Kingdom, where she has been receiving treatment.
“The report is untrue. She’s alive and well,” a family source said.
Singer, Cynthia Morgan Wears New Look... See Fans Reactions (Photo)
The North side Inc artist known for her gangster attitude and her signature fiery red hair styles has decided to go away from her fiery red hair to something different.
On Wednesday December 16, Nigerian singer with a fluid patois wore a dark hair colour, removed her nose ring and had on a pair of glasses. Her fans could not hide their feelings on her new look.
Get their reactions below
Human Rights Activists Begs Nicki Minaj To Cancel Her Angola Performance This Xmas
Female Young Money/Cash Money rapper, Nicki Minaj has been advised by the Human Rights Foundation to cancel her scheduled appearance in Angola.
In a letter sent to Nicki Minaj by Thor Halvorssen, the head of the human rights organization, Nicki Minaj is told to not show up in Angola because of the country’s human rights violations history.
Angola has been ruled to by President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and has a long history of human rights violations of journalists and people deemed as the opposition.
In the letter sent to Nicki Minaj, it is mentioned that Angolan hip-hop artist Luaty Beirao was arrested in June.
“Ms. Minaj, you are well known for being involved with charities such as the Get Schooled Foundation, which helps motivate young people to graduate from high school and succeed in college,” Halvorssen writes in his letter. “If you move forward with this performance for the dictator and his family, you will be in league with the people stealing educational resources and opportunity from young Angolans” the letter further read.
Thor Halvorssen is known for dropping copies of the movie ‘The Interview‘ all over North Korea.
