The Rector Of Maritime Academy In N18 Billion Scandal Dies Of Heart Attack

Joshua Okpo, the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom State is dead.

He reportedly died of heart attack.

Recall that Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, a few weeks ago ordered the probe of the accounts of the Academy and the tenure of its Rector over the N18 billion released to the institution.

The Rector, it was gathered, incurred the Minister’s wrath when he accused the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) of starving the academy of funds.

The Minister, it was learnt, summoned the Acting Director-General of NIMASA, Haruna Jauro and demanded explanation as to why the agency was starving the academy of its statutory five per cent funds.Joshua Okpo“The NIMASA DG was really shocked by Okpo’s allegation and he explained to the Honourable Minister that NIMASA had regularly released money due to the academy,” a report said.

Ghana Dismisses Judges Guilty Of Bribery Charges

Twenty judges and magistrates have been sacked in Ghana after being found guilty of bribery. The dismissals followed a thorough investigation into allegations of corruption in the judiciary.

In August, a journalist revealed that he had evidence showing judges demanding bribes and sex to influence judgements in court cases. The revelation however shocked Ghanaians and threw the judiciary into ‘confusion’.

Announcing the sackings, the chief justice said she wanted to assure the public that the judicial council, the regulatory body for judges, would take "prompt and resolute" action to "redeem" the image of the judiciary.

Judicial council secretary Justice Alex Poku Acheampong said some of the sacked judges had been stripped of their benefits.

Two Charged With Poisoning Famous Lions

Two Maasai herdsmen have been charged after allegedly poisoning a famous pride of lions in Narok, south-west Kenya, a wildlife official said. Simindei Naururi and Kulangash Toposat reportedly doused a cow carcass with poison at the Maasai Mara Game reserve.

Two lions from the pride were killed and one is missing. Eight are being treated after falling ill. The lions are thought to have killed three of the herdsmen's cows when they entered the reserve.

The Kenyan Wildlife Service warned that other animals might have been affected.

The lions, from the famous Marsh pride, were featured on BBC wildlife programme Big Cat Diary. The poisoning was confirmed on the pride's Facebook page on 7 December.

See How Vice President Osinbajo Described Yoruba People

The vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has described the Yorubas as people who are honest, has integrity, and are hard working.

Osinbajo stated this on Monday at Ile-Ife during the coronation of the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, as the 51st traditional ruler of the ancient town.

Osinbajo brought the attention of the new Ooni to the great responsibilities lying ahead of him. According to him,

“The stool of Ooni is revered and deeply important to the Yoruba race and the Ooni remains the father to all. “And as a father to all, you have the primary responsibility of carrying the responsibility of the people. “We are indeed grateful to God for affording us the opportunity to celebrate with pump and pageantry,”.

Check Out Thowback Pic Of Reekado Banks

All things are possible and you should always believe in yourself. This is an unbelievable throwback pic of Reekado Banks, a member of the mavin group. Motivate yourself today!

Kim K & Kanye Name New Baby

Kim Kardasian and Kanye West have named their new baby. North West’s younger brother was named SAINT WEST. This was revealed through her website and app.

“To our fans. Saint West. 12.05.15. 8 pounds, 1 ounce,” the update reads.

Governor Ambode To Increase Workers Salary Instead Of Christmas Rice

Governor Ambode of Lagos State has said his government will not be given out christmas rice and other items attributed to the usual yuletide items usually distributed by the State Government. According to a circular numbered 153 and signed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, the Governor will instead increase workers basic salaries by 25percent.

According to a source, the Governor decided to cancel the giving out of Christmas rice because not every worker usually gets it. They said the Governor knows it has not been a transparent process in the past and so he will be cancelling the exercise this year and increase workers’ salaries instead, to ensure every worker gets a Christmas gift.

Nick Cannon & Nicole Murphy Spotted On Dinner Date

According to TMZ, Nick Cannon and Nicole Murphy have sparked rumors that they are dating. The two stars were pictured enjoying a romantic dinner together in West Hollywood over the weekend.

Oddly, after their meal, the 35-year-old and his date, 47, were then seen shopping for furniture together which seemed to reignite rumors - that began earlier this year that the pair were together.

No doubt the pair with famous exes were having a grand old time together as they were spotted sharing a few laughs together on the outing. Another photo after the cut.

America To Carry Out First Penis Transplant

Within a year, maybe in just a few months, a young soldier with a horrific injury from a bomb blast in Afghanistan will have an operation that has never been performed in the United States: a penis transplant.

The organ will come from a deceased donor, and the surgeons, from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, say they expect it to start working in a matter of months, developing urinary function, sensation and, eventually, the ability to have sex.

Akwa Ibom Governor To Pay Students School Fees, Build More Toilets

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State is alarmed that 907 students of the state’s School of Health Technology, Etinan Local Government Area, have not more than three toilets.

Commissioner for Health, Mr. Dominic Ukpong, who conveyed the governor’s concern to students, last Friday, said the state government would start addressing challenges of main concern in the school soon, starting with the construction of new toilets, extension of classroom blocks and grading of dilapidated roads leading to the school.

Ukpong told them, “One thing that touched the governor most is that a school with 907 students  has only three toilets, so very soon, we are building more toilets and also we will be able to extend the classroom blocks.”

Call Jonathan “Inexperienced”, Not “Incompetent”, Says IBB

In a chat with The Interview Magazine, December 2015 Edition, a former military president of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Babangida has disagreed with critics of the immediate president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan who had labelled him ‘incompetent’, saying he disagrees with them but he would accept the word ‘inexperience’.

When asked about the perception that Jonathan is a good person but was “incompetent”, Babangida replied: “If you use inexperience, I will buy that.”

South African Court Grants Pistorius Bail After Murder Conviction

South African court on Tuesday granted bail to paralympian Oscar Pistorius after he was convicted of murder for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013, with the judge saying the athlete did not pose a flight risk.

Pistorius faces a minimum 15-year jail sentence.

It would be recalled that the Supreme Court last Thursday upgraded the 29-year-old athlete's sentence to murder from "culpable homicide", South Africa's equivalent of manslaughter, for which he had received a five-year sentence.

Pistorius was released from jail on Oct. 19 and had been meant to serve the rest of that five-year sentence under house arrest at his uncle's house in a wealthy suburb of the capital Pretoria.

He is expected not to travel further than a 12-mile (20-kilometer) radius outside of his uncle's mansion in a Pretoria suburb. He must also hand over his passport to the police, the judge said.

Former Militant, Tompolo’s Bank Account Freezed By EFCC

The bank accounts of Global West Vessel Specialists Nigeria Limited (GWVSNL), a company reportedly owned by a former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpomupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has been frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The company signed a 10-year maritime security contract which is expected to provide platforms to be used for patrolling the nation’s waterways by the Nigerian Navy and other security operatives, with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in 2011.

The Federal Ministry of Transport had in July 2015, directed NIMASA to discontinue payment to GWVSNL. The freezing of the company’s accounts in various banks is said to be the reasons for the discontinuation of payment by the agency.

The anti graft agency also froze the bank accounts of former Director-General of the agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi; his wife’s, Beauty Akpobolokemi and four brothers – Clement Akpobolokemi, Stephen Akpobolokemi, Julius Akpobolokemi and Victor Akpobolokemi.

Mob Damages LAGBUS for Killing 5-Year-Old Girl

There was pandemonium at Otto bus stop in Oyingbo area of Lagos as a LAGBUS got vandalized by a angry mob after it allegedly crushed a five-year-old girl to death and injuring another pedestrian.

The LAGBUS was said to have hit the five-year-old school girl on the pedestrian lane at about 12pm on Friday, smashing her legs while another male pedestrian said to be an 'okada' rider got injured.

The girl was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was confirmed dead.  An eye witness, Wasiu said; the LAGBUS driver disappeared when he got t know that the girl had died.

"The girl was about five years old. She was being taken home by her mother. We do not know her name, The bus hit them at the pedestrian side. The girl was badly injured. The driver of the LAGBUS initially came down and helped in rushing the girl to a hospital. It was in the process that some youths vandalized the bus. It was when the driver learnt that the girl had died that he fled."

Biafra: We Are Brothers, Lets Live In Peace! Northern Youths Tell MASSOB

At a press conference yesterday, the Northern youth under the aegis of the Arewa Triumphant Youth Foundation, (ATYF) urged South- Easterners, especially Biafra agitators, to lay down their arms and embrace peace. According to the National President of the group, Ibrahim Yusuf, Northerners will not be happy to see South-Easterners pull out of Nigeria. He begged them to embrace peace irrespective of tribe or religion and also asked the government to come to their aide. Hear him;

“We are brothers. We should be able to live together as one big family. Nothing should separate us. MASSOB should lay down their arms, and allow us to stay together for the betterment of this great country.

“There is no doubt that 99 per cent of these people that are into these various crises are young persons, and this is because they are jobless, and to stop them from being violent, government at all levels must provide jobs and the enabling environment for the youth.

How Ex-US Naval Officer Narrowly Escaped Death

The police in Ekiti State have arrested three persons in connection with a robbery attack on a retired United States Naval officer, Mrs. Titilope Ayeni-Are.

The woman had just arrived Nigeria from the US after being away for over 12 years. She was due to resume her new role as a lecturer in one of the tertiary institutions in the state when the incident occurred.

The first robbery attack occurred on Sunday, August 9 when burglars invaded her residence at Charity Street, Adehun, Ado Ekiti, the state capital, while she was away in church between 9.15 am and 1.45pm. Before her arrival, valuable items including three laptops, two DVD players, three mobile phones and a modem had been stolen.

Policemen recovered a bunch of keys with which the robbers gained access into the house.

Three days later, when she visited the Ado Ekiti office of Etisalat to retrieve her stolen line, she was told the line was still being used, which prompted her request for the call log.

Former Adamawa Commissioner Of Finance Jailed For 10 Years

A former Commissioner for Finance and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Adamawa state during Boni Haruna’s administration, John Elias has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment without option of fine by a Federal High Court sitting in Yola.

The judge on Friday also ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission to shut down his company, ALHAKIM NIGERIA LIMITED as well as pay the state sum of N51.5 million which he stole while he held sway in office.

The presiding judge who delivered the judgement under section 3 (2) of the miscellaneous act said the judgement will serve as a deterrent to occupiers of public office who may want to filter resources meant for developmental projects.

“I hereby sentenced the first accused, John Babani Elias for 10 years imprisonment on count 3 and another 10 years imprisonment on count 4 but the two sentences will run concurrently.

Bayelsa Poll: Former President Jonathan And Wife Gets Accredited

Speaking with newsmen after the accreditation, Jonathan explained that when elections are not peaceful, credible and transparent, we then elect leaders who cannot account for their stewardship. He said the votes of the citizens must account. He advised the Bayelsa people to be calm for the conduct of a credible election in the area.

[PHOTO] Major Hemp Distributors In Abia Arrested

A raid by narcotics agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has led to the discovery of 137kgs of cannabis and the arrest of two suspects in Abia State. The NDLEA commander in the state, Mr. Dele Akingbade, said the two suspects, 35-year-old Fidelis Ogbonna and 68-year-old Ududem Nwoke, were major hemp distributors in the state.

Akingbade said a cannabis warehouse run by Nwoke was discovered during the raid. It was there the NDLEA discovered nine bags of cannabis weighing 87kg.

When Ogbonna was arrested, a vehicle he used for the distribution was also impounded. 50kg of cannabis ready for distribution was reportedly recovered by the NDLEA agents in the process.

Fidelis, a native of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, said he is married with three children. He explained that he could not go beyond primary school level in his education and it has forced him to rely on the proceeds of the cannabis business to fend for his family.

Buhari’s Foreign Trips Have Started Yielding Fruits – Lai Mohammed

President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips since assuming office are critical to the implementation of his administration key policies of enhancing security, jump-starting the economy, creating jobs and fighting corruption, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, the Minister said all the trips have been anything but frivolous, and that they have started yielding fruits in terms of turning the tide in the fight against the insurgents who have been most active in the North-east, attracting investments in the range of billions of dollars, and securing global support for the administration’s anti-corruption fight.

”Nigerians, whether in the ruling or the opposition parties, have a right to ask questions about the activities of their President, but it is absolutely important that they do so from an informed, rather than partisan or sensational, standpoint,” he said.

Buhari’s Foreign Trips Have Started Yielding Fruits – Lai Mohammed

President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips since assuming office are critical to the implementation of his administration key policies of enhancing security, jump-starting the economy, creating jobs and fighting corruption, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, the Minister said all the trips have been anything but frivolous, and that they have started yielding fruits in terms of turning the tide in the fight against the insurgents who have been most active in the North-east, attracting investments in the range of billions of dollars, and securing global support for the administration’s anti-corruption fight.

”Nigerians, whether in the ruling or the opposition parties, have a right to ask questions about the activities of their President, but it is absolutely important that they do so from an informed, rather than partisan or sensational, standpoint,” he said.

[PHOTOS] Actress Mercy Aigbe And Hater Fight Dirty On Instagram

Nollywood actress and producer, Mercy  went ballistic on her follower yesterday after the young lady abused her for posting a collage of herself and her 14-year-old daughter asking  her fans to choose whose selfie was better.

According to the fan, Mercy is exposing her underage child to a filthy world that she should be protected from. Mercy at her own lashed out that if she doesn’t flaunt her own child, is it the moron in the name of her IG follower that she should flaunt? Read the convo below;

Queen Elizabeth, Buhari, Other Dignitaries To Attend New Ooni Of Ife’s Coronation

The new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II is an agent of change. Just in the last 70 days that he emerged the new Oba, his royal highness has given out 20 new transformers worth N250m and has promised to give 50 more in the next 30days to enable better electricity supply for the people of Ife.

The Oba whose coronation is set for 7th of December, will welcome her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England (though she might be represented), the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at least 20 Governors and other dignitaries from all over the world. The Oba also has this to say about the transformation of Ife.

“Let me acquaint you with what I have done in less than 70 days. I have given out over 20 electricity transformers worth about N250m.

Obasanjo: Something Must Be Done To Address Unemployment Now

A former president of Nigeria, Olusegun OIbasanjo has said unemployment draws any Nation backwards, particularly what Nigeria is facing at the moment and if something is not done about it urgently, we will all be sitting on a keg of gun powder.

Obasanjo who was addressing graduates at the 16th and 17th convocation of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State said it is something that needs major attention of Federal, State, Local, family and individual levels.

He said; “If there is no job for the unemployed to feed themselves and also to contribute to the development of the country then, we will all be sitting on a keg of gun powder.

“We should be able to break the cycle of poverty, through job and wealth creations. We can achieve this at both the federal, state, local, family and individual levels.

“We must all see education as a tool for making positive contributions to our country. But, if after your education, there is no job, you must be able to think outside the box positively, that is one advantage education has provided for you and not making you a tool for evil machinations.”

Obasanjo was also conferred with the honorary doctorate degree in Political Science, alongside the late matriarch of Awolowo family dynasty, Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo and Aliko Dangote.

Nnamdi Kanu’s Supporters Ask Abia Traders To Shut Down Shops In Continuation Of Protest

In continuation of the protest calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB and Director, Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu; members of the group has warned traders across markets in Aba, Abia state not to open for business.

Vanguard gathered that IPOB members visited Ariaria International, Ngwa road, Cemetery and Ekeoha markets with public address system announcing to the traders to shut their shops.