Photos: Pres Buhari arrives Nigeria after attending the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in SA

 The President arrived Nigeria this morning. More photos after the cut..

Turkey will 'more than once' regret shooting down Russian plane - Putin

Delivering his annual state of the nation address today, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia will not ignore what he described as Turkey's "aiding of terrorists", adding that the November shooting down of the Sukhoi Su-24 plane was a "treacherous war crime".

He said Turkey will 'more than once' regret shooting down the Russian jet near the Syrian-Turkey border. 

Putin also called for a broad international front against terrorism, an end to what he called double standards and halting any backing of what he called "terror groups".
Russia have already banned importation of fruits  and vegetables from Turkey and already deported several Turkish business men.

"We are not planning to engage in military sabre-rattling [with Turkey]," Putin said. "If somebody thought that after committing a treacherous war crime -- the killing of our people -- it would be possible to get away with mere restrictions on the trade of tomatoes, or some other restrictions ... then they are grossly mistaken," Putin said.

"We shall remind them many times about what they've done, and they will regret what they've done for a long time," he said. "We know what needs to be done."

It appears that Allah decided to punish the ruling clique of Turkey by depriving them of wisdom and judgment," Putin said. 

He criticised Turkey, accusing it of buying oil from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group. 

"We are fighting for justice, happiness and the entire future of our civilisation. We have to be prepared and we have to defeat them [terrorists] before they get here that's why we launched this operation in Syria."

Photos: T.B Joshua heals 'Snake man'

Article written by Ihechukwu Njoku, a freelance Nigerian journalist. Read below...

Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua has released a controversial YouTube video purportedly showing the healing of a man with horrific snake-like scales across his body. The clip titled, ‘A Video You Will Never Forget’ shows Mr Jude Oraka from Anambra State, Nigeria, receiving prayer from the popular cleric during a prayer service at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos.
Oraka, a driver by profession, claimed he fell victim to a strange skin disease six years ago which "defied medical comprehension". Jude’s sister described him as a "walking corpse" whom the family had given up on. However, several months after receiving prayer, Oraka returned with smooth skin to testify that "he was healed by Jesus Christ through T.B. Joshua".

The clip has already racked up over 100,000 views since its release and attracted hundreds of comments from both skeptics and believers alike. Joshua is not a stranger to controversy, making headlines this week for not showing up at a court case surrounding the deadly collapse of a building within his church premises last year. Emmanuel TV, which debuted on DStv and GOtv last month, is one of the most popular Christian television stations in Africa. It’s YouTube channel has over 265,000 subscribers, making it among the most subscribed Christian channels worldwide. I

Does it look like same man though? Watch video below...
 

MTN Nigeria's CEO Michael Ikpoki resigns

MTN Nigeria’s CEO Michael Ikpoki has resigned. The company's head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Akinwale Goodluck has also resigned with immediate effect.

Ikpoki has been replaced by Ferdi Moolman as MTN Nigeria CEO while Goodluck has been replaced by Amina Oyagbola as its head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs. Read the press statement released my MTN group after the cut...


“MTN Nigeria’s CEO Michael Ikpoki and the head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Akinwale Goodluck have tendered their resignations with immediate effect,” the company said in a statement Thursday morning. “They are replaced by Ferdi Moolman as MTN Nigeria CEO and Amina Oyagbola as its head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs. Mr Moolman was previously COO at MTN Irancell and most recently CFO at MTN Nigeria.

A Nigerian national, Ms Oyagbola also retains the position of MTN Nigeria’s Head of Human Resources. She formerly headed regulatory affairs at the Nigerian operating company.” The company also said it has received a formal letter dated December 2 from the NCC informing it that, “after considering the Company’s request, it has taken the decision to reduce the fine on the MTN Nigerian business from the original N1,040,000,000,000 (One Trillion, Forty Billion Naira) to N674 Billion Naira which has to be paid by 31 December 2015.”

The fine relates to the late disconnecting of 5.1 million MTN Nigeria subscribers in August and September 2015.

Photos: EFCC raid Raymond Dokpesi's home in Abuja

EFCC officials yesterday raided the Abuja home of Chairman of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi who is being interrogated for his alleged connection in the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal. The search lasted over an hour. Speaking to newsmen after the search, Dokpesi said

"Its a change of Environment. Its quite peaceful, quite okay. I was granted bail yesterday (Tuesday December 1st) where they asked me to get two directors of the Federal government arm to also deposit my passport but my lawyer was not available and I said that I was not going to sign but then I think what they said was the allegation was alleged conspiracy, money laundering and misappropriation of public funds. But I am a loyal Nigerian citizen, a patriotic Nigerian citizen. I have no problem like I said. I am strong in spirit. I am toughened". 

Northern governors condemn Pro-Biafran attacks

The 19 Northern Governors under the aegis, Northern Governors Forum, have unanimously condemned the attacks that happened during the pro-biafran protest in Onitsha, Anambra state yesterday December 2nd.

Rising from a meeting in Borno state today, the governors said Nigerians had no reason to fight themselves at this time when we should join hands to fight the number one enemy of our country which is Boko Haram. Borno state governor, Kshim Shettima who leads the group of Governors, said this in a statement he released through his media aide, Isa Gusau. The statement in part read;


"We condemn the Wednesday crisis in very strong term. We have been in touch with one another today. The Governors of major cities in the north in particular, have been in critical touch to share thoughts and we have collectively taken firm measures to ensure that the violence doesn’t spread to any part of the 19 northern States and we will also be working with our colleagues in the south to nip the crisis in the bud but we will not disclose the measures we have taken so that those who may want to take advantage of the Onitsha mayhem don’t know our strategies. However, it is surprising to the Northern States Governors Forum that any Nigerian at all can even contemplate any kind of violence when we already have serious problems of Boko Haram insurgents that are killing Muslims and Christians, killing northerners and southerners, attacking Mosques, Churches and markets, in an effort to kill all of us that do not subscribe to their interpretation of Islam. We have Boko Haram that kill Hausa, Fulani, Ibo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Ijaw and anyone they are able to come across. We thought that the existence of Boko Haram should have been enough to make all Nigerians fuse into one and fight a common enemy. It is really sad that any Nigerian can contemplate violence. We are not blaming any individual or group because there are security agencies whose job it is to safeguard lives and property and do investigations where necessary, we will not go into their duties. We beg all Nigerians to be calm and go about their duties in peace. We have got more than enough problems to worry about. We can’t afford any distraction that will shift our focus from the bigger problems of Boko Haram that has an ambition of sending the human race into extinction. We urge all Nigerians to be calm. We particularly call on all Nigerians living in the northern states not to pay attention to differences in religion and ethnicity but rather, should see each other as Nigerians with equal residential rights and fundamental human rights that include freedom to lawfully reside anywhere in Nigeria, freedom of worship, movement, trade, association, education, healthcare and other rights as provided by the Nigerian constitution. We particularly call on our youths not to allow anyone use them for any purpose because youths have suffered more than any other age category from the hands of Boko Haram insurgents and that is more than enough. Our focus should be on how to end the Boko Haram insurgency and not to be driven into any other crisis. We have suffered too much, we must say no to any crisis. As heads of Government of the 19 northern states, we will by the grace of God, do everything humanly possible to ensure that no resident, regardless of his or her ethno-religious background, is denied any of these rights. As Nigerians, we are one, we need one another and we must live as one people,

Photos: EFCC raid Raymond Dokpesi's home in Abuja

EFCC officials yesterday raided the Abuja home of Chairman of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi who is being interrogated for his alleged connection in the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal. The search lasted over an hour. Speaking to newsmen after the search, Dokpesi said

"Its a change of Environment. Its quite peaceful, quite okay. I was granted bail yesterday (Tuesday December 1st) where they asked me to get two directors of the Federal government arm to also deposit my passport but my lawyer was not available and I said that I was not going to sign but then I think what they said was the allegation was alleged conspiracy, money laundering and misappropriation of public funds. But I am a loyal Nigerian citizen, a patriotic Nigerian citizen. I have no problem like I said. I am strong in spirit. I am toughened". 

NCC reduces MTN’s fine to N674bn, CEO and Corporate Affairs head resign

The MTN Group requested a reduction in the fine imposed to it by NCC, and on Thursday they said they received a formal letter from the Nigerian Communications Commission that confirmed the reduction of the N1.04tn fine imposed to N674bn.

The fine was bestowed upon them due to the late disconnection of 5.1 million unregistered MTN Nigeria Subscriber Identification Module cards in August and September, now has to be paid on or before December 31, 2015.

It was learnt that the Chief Executive Officer of its Nigerian subsidiary, Mr. Michael Ikpoki, and the Head of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, resigned from their positions because of the fine.

The Chief Operating Officer of MTN Irancell, Ferdi Moolman, and Amina Oyagbola, were appointed to replace Ikpoki and Goodluck respectively.

The Executive Chairman, MTN Group, Phuthuma Nhleko, said in a statement:

“This will enable MTN to continue to realise its strategy and vision, while also ensuring that we achieve high governance standards and robust risk mitigation.

“As I said in my last communication to you, MTN employees are the key to the success of our organisation and I continue to appreciate your support during this period of transition. Welcome to our new joiners and congratulations to those who are in new positions.”

 

 

Punch

EFCC uncovers another N600m scam

Air Vice Marshal Salihu Atawodi was arrested Wednesday for allegedly diverting N600 million meant for acquisition of military boats for the use of the Nigerian armed forces.
Atawodi was said to have awarded the contract for the boats and paid for them in full but none was supplied.

According to a source in the EFCC, Atawodi, who recently retired from the Air Force, was arrested Wednesday and taken into EFCC custody for questioning.
The course said the former fighter pilot is likely to be charged with conspiracy, abuse of public office and misappropriation of public funds.
He awarded the military boat purchase to one Alhaji Rabiu’s Hypertech Nigeria Limited. The contractor was fully paid but the boats were never supplied.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren confirmed Atawodi’s presence at the Commission, adding that he is assisting the investigation.
At press time, the retired Air Force officer was still with operatives of the commission.



Vanguard

Nigeria's Odion Ighalo, three others nominated for English Premier League's Best African player award

Nigerian international striker, Odion Ighalo has been nominated for English Premier League's Best African player award for the month of November. Ighalo will face his African international brothers, the likes of Ghana’s Swansea City star Andre Ayew, Congolese winger of Crystal Palace Yannick Bolassie and Ivorien Arouna Kone of Everton.

Ighalo who has scored eight goals in the premier leagues matches, makes him the highest Hornets goal scorer in the league.

He scored for Nigeria in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nation’s qualifiers against Chad also scored for Nigeria in the international friendly against Cameroon in October.

According to a release by the New African Soccer, Ighalo won the award by an overwhelming majority in October, and he seemed to continue where he left off in October, playing well enough to earn him a place in the shortlist for November.

The Nigerian international played every minute of Watford’s November fixtures, which was a difficult month for them given the home loss to Manchester United and the away loss to Leicester City.

The award winner will be announced in a matter of days.