Gist Arena

(Reuters) - The United States military will share communications equipment and intelligence with African allies to assist them in the fight against Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram, the commander of U.S. Special Forces operations in Africa said. West African military commanders have long complained that cross-border operations against Islamist groups, from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Mali to Boko Haram in Nigeria, have been obstructed by lack of compatible communications equipment, making it hard to swap information and coordinate. Major General James Linder said that, as part of the annual U.S.-sponsored "Flintlock" counter-terrorism exercises this year in Chad, the United States would introduce technology allowing African partners to communicate between cellphones, radios and computers. The RIOS system would allow soldiers in the field to transmit photos from a remote location in the Sahel immediately to a central command room and can al...

Yesterday, the Ekiti Justice Group (EJG), alleged that former Ekiti First Lady, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, diverted N57m drugs meant for the State to the campaign of Gen Buhari. (Read  here ). Mrs Fayemi has released a statement denying it, saying Fayose's aides are behind EJG allegations. Read below.. The attention of the Wife of the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has been drawn to an  allegation  by a faceless group, operating under the  unregistered  name : Ekiti Justice Group (EJG)  -   that she donated drugs  worth N57.34m to the campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. The  so-called  EJG  claimed  among other things that the purported drugs was sourced from a European Donor Agency last year August for Ekiti Free Health Mission, but was diverted for the APC campaign in January, 2015. Ordinarily, it wouldn’t have been n...

A frustrated male traveler shocked airport staff at Russia's Pulkovo A irport  in St Petersburg,  b y stripping completely naked after he was sent back to remove his belt and shoes, while passing through metal detector. And the whole thing was caught on camera. The frustrated man first removed his trousers, shirt and before anyone knew what was going on, he removed his undergarment, exposing himself to other travelers. Then while naked, he removed his watch. The bewildered security guards, who didn't seem to know how to react, didn't do anything to stop the man. Then the man goes through the scanner, turns to the security men and asked them if they wanted to search his butt...lol. Then he nonchalantly grabs his clothes and walks off leaving airport staff wondering what they'd just witnessed. See the dramatic photos below

A police officer was shot dead and a staff of Channels TV stabbed during the fracas that broke out at the APC Governorship rally in Rivers state earlier today. In a chat with newsmen, the state APC Governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside said five policemen were shot at the rally “Five police officers were shot. One of them is dead and four are lying in critical condition at this hospital.” he said Channels TV staff who was stabbed is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. A Police van was also set ablaze. Above is an exclusive pic I got from the scene...

This is a MediaTakeOut exclusive and they swear it's fact and not rumour. Read their report below.. MediaTakeout.com just confirmed that last night, one of teachers affiliated with Kylie Jenner's school has just called Los Angeles child protective services on Kris Jenner and Kylie Jenner. The call, we're told took place last night - after Khloe Kardashian and Amber went at it on social media. We were told by a family member of the teacher. We were asked to keep their identity anonymous. Kylie is currently "home schooled" - but takes classes with a number of teachers that are affiliated with an official school program Amber may have just F*CKED up the whole Kylie and Khloe mess . . . BIG TIME. It's not clear if, or whether, child services plans on doing anything - but we're told that their is an ACTIVE INVESTIGATION. Here's what we know. Under CALIFORNIA LAW, any teacher that suspects that an underage minor is having sexual contact with...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice Presidential Candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has enhanced the campaign of his party to win the forthcoming poll, with the opening of ‘people wish note books ’ at the grassroots level.  Osinbajo stated that the opening of ‘people wish note books’ at the grassroots was an approach to give hope to the people at that level and to feel their pulse from time to time. The ‘people wish note books’ were opened for the masses in Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign offices in all the local governments in the country, for them to write what they want, need and their recommendations on how they should be governed. A senior university don, Barrister Olatoye Adebayo applauded the move of Osinbajo by opening the people’s wish note books especially in an area like Ajegunle which is synonymous with the masses and their aspirations. He said the idea of the APC vice presidential candidate was a scientific politicking, a research oriented pol...

PDP Chairman, Adamu Muazu this afternoon posted this munched BBC tweet about Niger republic citizens marching in solidarity with their military and said that was what patriotism was about and not Nigerians who constantly insult security agencies and government. You know how our people are... they came for him. See the tweets below

She shared the pic on instagram and below it she wrote "S ometimes we often wonder why some doors aren't open for us,while others with equal or less ability have seemingly unlimited opportunities and success in every area of their lives.. This doesn't seem fair at all...I know this.. I have Felt it too.. TIMING!! Has everything to do with it! GOD has a time 4 evrythn n he works in us wat needs 2 b done 2 prepare us 4 wat is ahead.. Having a sense of God's timing brings d peace 2 wait on d lord for it... But Still... Drown out d voice of uncertainty with d sound of ur own heartbeat, burn away ur self - doubt with the fire that's beneath u. "I CAN DO IT"! Remember what u r fighting for.. Remember whose child your are ... You are the child of the almighty GOD! Tots Of Annie "

The presidential candidate from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) unexpectedly visited the home-town of the Chibok girls, who were kidnapped last April by Boko Haram sect. General Buhari addressed a huge crowd of supporters in Borno State capital, Maiduguri as a part of his nationwide campaign. Army chiefs, who organised security for the rally, were surprised when the APC party candidate said he wanted to visit Chibok and denied to provide him security cover until they received clearance from their superiors in Abuja. Meanwhile, despite their protests, General Buhari asserted on visiting Chibok and left for the town despite their of the denial of men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) to go along with him. But at last the thousands of Civilian JTF members had agreed to provide security for him and the Borno State governor Kashim Shettima. The people and parents of the kidnapped girls also came out to ...

The Channels TV reporter was reporting from the Rivers state APC campaign rally this afternoon when explosions went off and the guy quickly docked but continued reporting. Very brave of him..but trust Nigerians to have something to say about it...lol. (watch the reporter in action below) Meanwhile, it's been confirmed that it wasn't an explosion, just fireworks from mischief makers.

If you're a telenovela fan and watched Second Chance, then you should know Lorena Rojas. The Mexican actress and singer played the lead role in the popular 2005 telemundo series, “El Cuerpo del Deseo.” - aka 'Second Chance'.   She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 but recovered only for it to come back in 2012. This time in her bones. She dealt with the cancer the best way she could until in November 2014 when she was diagnosed yet again. This time the disease had gone to her liver. She died yesterday February 16th at her home in Miami surrounded by her family, daughter, and her boyfriend. She was just 44 years old. May her soul rest in peace, amen.

Reports reaching us say three Improvised Explosive Devices have gone off close to the rally ground of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika, Rivers State. According to Channels, this has caused a stampede at the venue of the rally, as people gathering for the rally scampered for safety. A reporter from the TV station who is presently on ground at the venue was seen on Live TV lying down while giving situation reports. The station was actually billed to beam the rally live. It is not clear while the reporter was lying on the floor but reports say there were sporadic shootings after the explosions went off. The party supporters, in their numbers, had gathered at Okrika National Secondary school, venue of the rally and were waiting for the leaders of the party in the state to arrive the venue of the rally. The explosion has however caused an abrupt end to the proposed rally, although other sources on ground say the rally will go on as pla...

Multiple explosions have been reportedly recorded in Biu, Borno State, just days after the last week’s suicide attack in the same town. Leadership reports with reference to the witnesses that the today blasts occurred one after another and were heard echoing all over the town 3 times. The explosion struck at about 12:50 p.m. on February 17, Tuesday, Premium Times adds. Muhammed Miringa of Civilian JTF, said: “Three bomb explosions have occurred in Yamarkumi area of Biu at about 1pm. There are many casualties. We are trying to see how to assist the aide workers to help victims that are still alive.” February 12 the attack on Biu market is believed to have killed from 5 to 15 people. Speaking about the incident the Federal Government insisted that the aim of the bombing was to divert the attention of the Nigerian military from the ongoing war against Boko Haram. Two masterminds were allegedly arrested in connection with the incident.

Oluyinka Davids, the father of Morireluwa, the beautiful girl who won the 2015 PZ Cusson baby moment which held in Lagos on February 1st, has cried out after his wife, Funmi Davids, who he is currently separated from, took another man to represent him at the grand finale of the competition  In an interview with Encomium mag, Oluyinka (above) said he and his wife separated a while back and she moved out of their matrimonial home. He said to get back at him, she took another man, her younger sister's husband, to pose as the father of his daughter during the finale of the competition. He said he got his daughter registered for the competition but that as the little girl was advancing in the competition, she shut him out. I got a copy of the mag and typed out the interview.  "Yes I started it all, got my daughter registered, got her a professional photographer, personally worked and also employed a PR person who worked tirelessly for her on the contest. I kne...

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday sent eight ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening and approval. The names, contained in a letter signed by Jonathan and read by Senate President David Mark, include senator Musiliu Obanikoro from Lagos state. Others are, Mrs.Patricia Akwashiki (Nasarawa); Mrs. Hauwa’u Lawan (Jigawa); Prof nicholas Akise Ada (Benue); Col. Augustine Akobundu retd. (Abia); Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo (Ebonyi); Mr. Kenneth Kobani (Rivers) and Senator Joel Ikenya (Taraba). The Senate has not fixed a date for the screening.

The senate on Tuesday summoned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, to appear before it Wednesday on his level of his agency’s preparedness towards the forthcoming general elections. The decision was taken following a motion by the senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, who noted that there was the need for Jega to brief the senators and demonstrate the use of the card readers. The Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, also suggested that the three service chiefs who engineered the postponement of the polls from February 14, be equally invited. However, while Senate President David Mark, was ruling on the motion and the voice vote approval of the senators, said the invitation of service chiefs would be determined by Jega’s submission on Wednesday. Mark therefore directed the INEC boss to appear before the senate in plenary Wednesday by 11.00am.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reportedly issued a dire warning to President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the country’s elections.  ECOWAS cautioned President Jonathan and the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Gen. Buhari to desist from using hate speeches capable of overheating the polity. This was made known to ThisDay State House correspondents on Monday by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at the commission, Salamatu Suleiman. He made the disclosure shortly after the commission’s team visited President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. “The President of ECOWAS (Ouedraogo) said the observers went to all the different geo-political zones and they made observations on issues relating to distribution of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and other issues. These issues as the President said were deemed necessary to share with the Presid...