Gist Arena

Wife of President-elect, Aisha Buhari has called on all states of the federation to implement the Child Rights Act which has been passed by the outgoing Senate with the view of protecting the rights of the Nigerian Child. Mrs Buhari made this call in a statement released today to commemorate the International Children's Day tomorrow May 27th. The statement, signed by was signed by the director of the Buhari Campaign Organization, Garba Shehu “Even if it means adapting the act to suit their specific needs. The Child Rights Act must be adopted in every single state of our country"she said in the statement. Mrs Buhari in the statement promised that no child will be left out of her husband's plans “No child in Nigeria will be left out of my husband’s plan for Nigeria,” she said. “Every child in every geopolitical zone of the country will be taken care of by the APC federal government.”

Tragedy struck in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Sunday night as a member of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, serving in the state, Miss Yetunde Shukurat Idowu, was found on the street, dead.Vanguard reliably gathered that her last visit before she was found dead was to the popular shopping mall, Shoprite, located along Fate Road. Consequently, concerned roommate and neighbours constituted themselves into a search party that found Yetunde stone dead on a street at GRA, Ilorin. Vanguard also gathered that the family of the late youth corps member had been contacted, while her corpse would be released, tomorrow on the insistence of the family. It was also gathered that the deceased, who was an indigene of Ogun State but lived along the popular Fate Road, Ilorin, was of the NYSC 2014 Batch ‘B’ set. Vanguard investigations, however, revealed that the corps member who went to Shoprite on the fateful day, must have been given a free ride. Contacted, Poli...

This is According to a student of Benson Idahosa University who explain what happened... I am a student of Benson Idahosa university, a private university, situated in Benin city. Today, a student of the school Justin (pictured left), a 200l of International Studies and Diplomacy died at the school annex medical facility. Three days ago, the deceased who was the only son of a single mother was ill and went to the school clinic for medication, he was immediately admitted in the school clinic without being examined and drips were admitted on him for three days. Justin (the deceased) was ignored on the sick bed with drips on him. It was late this morning that the negligent nurses noticed the boy's lifeless body but it was too late as his pcv had dropped to 13. He was rushed to the school apex hospital (Faith Mediplex, which is also owned by the school's president, FEB Idahosa) This evening, the students gathered at the clinic and revolted as the death of Justin was su...

Well, trust people to blame it on the black rapper. Tyga has been accused of introducing his underage girlfriend Kylie Jenner to drugs. The rumour spread over the weekend after Kylie was spotted walking through a street fair in Monaco carrying a Sprite bottle that was colored purple instead of it being clear. According to what fans are tweeting, it's called 'dirty Sprite' in the 'hood' and it's when you mix Codeine syrup in a Sprite bottle or any soda. It's said to be the drug of choice in the hop hop community. If that's what it really is, then Kris Jenner, you need to come get your child!

Hearing in the N150 billion libel suit filed against DAAR Communications by a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, has been fixed for May 27. Raymond Dokpesi, the Chairman of the broadcast outfit, is one of the witnesses to testify at the resumed hearing of the suit. Others listed to testify against Mr. Tinubu are Namure Edoimioya, Medan Tenke, Ajibola Adewusi, Olumide Idowu, Stanley Odidi, Nwabueze and Stanley Bassey. Mr. Tinubu had instituted the N150 billion suit against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, over the documentary titled “Lion of Bourdilion’’. He had alleged that the documentary, which the station started, airing on March 1, was libelous and aimed at tarnishing his image. However, in a counter-claim filed by AIT on Tuesday, the defendant denied the allegations as contained in the claimant’s amended statement of claim. Mr. Dokpesi, in his statement on oath, said that Mr. Tinubu’s claim was founded...

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA says it will not vacate the premises of embattled Senator elect, Buruji Kashamu who is wanted for alleged drug related offenses  in the USA. NDLEA said this in reaction to an order from a Federal High Court in Lagos today directing officials of the agency to vacate the premises of Kashamu. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju, NDLEA said it has not received the reported court injunction and that the siege is within the law. Read the statement below "The NDLEA does not believe that any court will issue an order preventing a government agency from performing its statutory responsibilities in a lawful manner. The agency has therefore refused to be distracted and will continue to maintain presence at the residence. It is advisable that Kashamu respects the law by submitting himself to the due process of the law. The NDLEA wishes to reiterate that his rights like that of other citizens shall...

Eighteen power generation plants out of the 23 in the country are currently not generating electricity. As a result, the country has lost over 2,000 megawatts of electricity. Though the government has often blamed the poor power supply on vandalism of gas pipelines, the industrial action embarked upon by oil and gas workers has compounded the problem. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission stated that in the last couple of months, power supply had been generally poor on account of increase in vandalism in the run up to the April 2015 elections. The commission said on Monday, “But this bad supply condition has worsened in the last few days. At present, 18 out of the 23 power plants in the country are unable to generate electricity due to shortage of gas supply to the thermal plants, with one of the hydro stations faced with water management issue. “This has led to loss of over 2,000MW in the national grid. This situation is further compounded by the...

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, bowed out on Tuesday, handing over the leadership of the legislature to his Deputy, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, who will round off the tenure of the House on June 5. Tambuwal, who is the Governor-elect for Sokoto State, will be inaugurated on May 29 (Friday) as governor. His decision to transfer power to Ihedioha ahead of May 29 was to avoid a possible constitutional crisis of taking oath of office for two separate offices. While he will be inaugurated as governor on May 29, his current tenure as a member of the House will terminate on June 6. Tambuwal, who spoke with journalists soon after Tuesday’s sitting of the House, disclosed that the members agreed at an executive session that Ihedioha should preside over the affairs of the House till June 6. “My stay here in the House would have effectively come to a end on May 29 after I would have been inaugurated as governor. “We have to avoid any ...

APC National leader, Bola Tinubu, earlier today received the President of Guinea, Alpha Condé at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos. The Guinean President is in Nigeria on a 5-day working visit. As part of his visit, President Condé will be meeting with Nigerian businessmen and women with the view of luring some investments to his country. He will also be attending the inauguration ceremony on Friday May 29th .

Muhammadu Buhari is sworn in as Nigeria’s next president on Friday but he has a daunting to-do list after promising wholesale change during elections two months ago. Here are four key areas, otherwise termed enermies of his successful administration he will have to tackle when he takes office:  Corruption  Buhari, 72, has said the corrupt and corruption will have no place in his administration, sparking fears of a wide-ranging crackdown similar to his previous time as military ruler in the 1980s. But he has pledged outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan has “nothing to fear” and there will be no witch-hunt against the former administration. Some areas are likely to be too big to ignore, however, such as the running of the opaque, state-run oil firm, which is seen as riddled with corruption. Analysts predict Buhari will beef up existing anti-corruption agencies, while he has personally promised to declare his assets and liabilities for greater transpar...

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, on Tuesday appealed to the public not to corrupt personnel of the police by giving them bribe. Arase made the appeal while fielding question from newsmen during a meeting with senior officers on the issue of whether or not, bail was free. “We have a zero tolerance for payment of money to free suspect). I am appealing to members of the public, not to corrupt my men; It takes two to tango.  “If they ask you for bribe and you refuse to give, and you have avenues where your grievances can be ventilated, I do not see any reason why you should give them bribe. “The Commissioner of Police is there; the Area Commander is there; the DPO is there; and the technical platform (to report corrupt policemen) is there. “We have opened ourselves to public accountability. So, you cannot now say the whole problem should be blamed on the police force’’, he said. Earlier, the I-G had announced that two suspected kingpins responsible f...

Ex-actress Regina Askia Williams posted this on her Facebook wall this afternoon, canvassing for a world where everyone's rights will be respected. What do y'all think? See below some of the replies she got from people.

Asisat Oshoala wins the first ever BBC Women's Footballer of the Year. The Nigerian and Liverpool forward is the first player to win the new award from the BBC World Service, which is voted for by football fans around the world. "I would like to say thank you to the BBC, to my fans around the world and to everyone who voted. I feel very happy and appreciated. It's a very good thing for me and also motivation for the World Cup. I had a very good 2014 and had the opportunity of going to the under-20s Women's World Cup with Nigeria and also won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot so I think maybe that added to the reason why people voted for me.” Asisat said. Congrats to her...

Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court Lagos has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials to vacate the residence of embattled Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu in Lekki, Lagos. Justice Buba, while presiding over the case filed by counsel to Kashamu, said the NDLEA should immediately vacate the residence and maintain status quo.   NDLEA had placed Buruji Kashamu on house arrest since Saturday May 23rd after failing to arrest him. The Senator-elect is wanted in the US over alleged drug charges.  

A 26 year old Nigerian man, Ekwegbalu Ugochukwu Udok, has been sentenced to 5 years in jail by a Municipal court in Cambodia for beating and raping a Norwegian tourist, 27 year old Nodia Ebert, in December 2014. According to the presiding judge, on the day of the incident, the young lady had just stepped out of a night club when she met Udok who pretended to be a taxi driver and asked that she take a ride with him. “Udok pretended to be a taxi driver, and asked her to take a ride from him. He said that he would bring her to the Okay Boutique Hotel, but instead, he brought her to his rental house. After arriving at his room, he raped her.” the presiding judge, Im Vanak said while presiding over the case. Udok however says he will be appealing the court's judgement at the Cambodia Supreme court "I believe that the court’s verdict was unjust for me, and I cannot accept it. I will bring the case to the Appeal Court.” Udok said outside the courtroom.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said managing the Nigerian economy under the present administration might not be perfect but the government made good efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians. She spoke in Abuja, Sunday night, at a reception organised in her honour by Ndi-Igbo Youth Organisation in partnership with Voice of All Arewa Youth, in Abuja.  The minister, who also received a certificate for meritorious service, said she will never regret serving the country under President Goodluck Jonathan despite the criticisms and attacks she has been receiving because, the lives of Nigerians, especially youths and women improved significantly under the Jonathan administration. According to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, “the youths have been at the centre of the work done by this administration and these are facts on the ground. You cannot change facts but you can try to twist them and at the end of the day facts ...

It appears APC is having a silent battle over who becomes the next senate President. Two hours ago, Senator Bukola Saraki who is gunning for the seat of the Senate president, tweeted that the party had reaffirmed its position to zone the seat of the Senate Presidency to the North Central. A few minutes ago, his claim was refuted by a statement released by the party's National Secretary Mai Mala Buni, which was shared on the Facebook wall of Kaduna governor-elect, Nasir El Rufai. Recall that the National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu had told press men last week that the party will not be zoning the position of the Senate Presidency and that they will not compromise merit during the process for the emergency of a Senate President. See Saraki's tweet and APC's statement below

 Love is a beautiful thing..

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a herbalist, Ismaila Abdullahi, and a prophetess, Bola Ojo, for allegedly defrauding two bank workers of a sum of N6m in the Egbeda area of the state. The suspects, however, told  PUNCH Metro  that the bank workers brought the money to them for prayers without being coerced.They added that the bank workers wanted to perform ‘money rituals’. According to the police, Ojo is the prophetess of a Cherubim and Seraphim church in the Iyana Ipaja area, while Abdullahi is a herbalist in the Egbeda area. Our correspondent learnt that the bank workers, whose names were not disclosed, had met one Ajibola, an alleged informant for the suspects, who is still at large. Ajibola, posing as an aide of a renowned politician, had reportedly introduced a deal to them. It was gathered that the worth of the deal was put at N5.8m, and Ajibola asked his victims to bring the money to a location with a promise that they would get fat ...