Gist Arena

Anybody know him? He was rescued by Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) a search and rescue charity organisation, along with 118 others from six other countries. Doesn't look like a 19 year old to me though...but if that's the age he told them...werinconsignme...#strollsaway!  Image source: Christopher Miller/MOAS

Colonel Rabe Abubakar takes over from Major General Chris Olukolade as the new Director of Information for the Defence Headquarters. Maj. Gen. Olukolade is proceeding on retirement after 35 years of service in the Military though he will still remain in active service till September 2015.

The United States dollar will further tumble against the naira at the parallel market this week as Deposit Money Banks continue to reject cash deposit of foreign currencies into customers’ domiciliary accounts. The naira had appreciated against the dollar from 245 to 220 at the parallel market last week after banks started denying their customers opportunity to make cash deposits of dollar, pound and euro into their domiciliary accounts. Foreign exchange dealers told our correspondent on Sunday that the naira would likely appreciate further against the dollar at the black market this week. A forex trader, who chose to speak under the condition of anonymity said, “We expect the naira to appreciate further this week at the parallel market. “Banks have flooded the market with dollars and other foreign currencies. This is making the naira to appreciate. There is still a huge stock of dollars out there that the banks will be pushing into the parallel market this we...

The National Association of Seadogs has donated a library to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for the use of rescued victims of human trafficking. The Zonal Coordinator of NAPTIP, Mr. Nwachukwu Innocent, said in Uyo on Friday that the facility would enable the rescued victims to acquire knowledge. He said, “The action, which is part of a community development initiative has no doubt confirmed to us that you, the Seadogs, are worthy ally in our anti-trafficking efforts. “These children, in most cases, are victims of human trafficking, child abuse, child labour, or vulnerable to be trafficked by traffickers. Thye need all the help they can get.” The Captain, NAS, Prince Ifeanyi Onochie, said the project had been in the works after the 3rd NAS Charity Red Ball held in Uyo in July 2013. He added that the project was initiated under the theme, ‘Give a Future to Disadvantaged Children: the Play and Read Initiative’. He ...

THE lingering crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following a sharp disagreement between the national leadership and staff over plans to reduce the staff strength, their salaries and allowances by 50%, Monday took another twist as men of the Department of State Security Services, DSS stormed Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of the party. Men of DSS who were dressed in black, arrived the Secretariat as early as 9am apparently sensing that the aggrieved workers who have been at logger head with the National Working Committee, NWC may cause chaos that may lead to breakdown of law and order, just as they went upstairs where they stayed for over 30 minutes during the meeting between the directors and leaders of the aggrieved workers. They also went round the premises of the Secretariat and finally went to the National Executive Committee, NEC meeting hall before they finally left, may be with assurances that there was temporary peace.

Senate president Bukola Saraki visited some IDP camps in Maiduguri, Borno state today August 3rd to get on spot assessment of situation on ground. He also donated N10million to the IDP camps. Saraki and his delegation assured the people of Borno State and North East in general that the Senate will pass legislation to help restore normalcy in the zone. More photos below

During his one day visit to the Republic of Benin on Saturday August 1st, President Buhari was honored with a traditional title 'Manahouwhe’ Gbede' meaning, “I will never forget you”. More photos from the ceremony below

President Buhari says investigations being carried out on the oil sector have revealed countries and banks that have aided and abetted the people behind oil theft in Nigeria. He said this when a delegation of US congress members paid him a visit at the state house today August 3rd. "We are getting cooperation from the international community, including information on ships that take crude oil from Nigeria and change direction, or pour their contents into other ships mid-stream. Some monies were paid to individual accounts. We're identifying the financial institutions and countries that are involved. I have been assured that when we get all our documents together, the United States and other countries will treat our case with sympathy,’’ he said.

The United States is considering lifting restrictions on sales of arms to Nigeria, officials of the U.S. Congress have said. A delegation from the U.S. Congress told military authorities in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Monday, that the decision was part of efforts by the U.S. to enhance cooperation between both countries in tackling the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria’s north-east. The delegation, which was led by Issah Darrel, who is also part of the Judicial Committee of the U.S. Congress, met with the Chiefs of Army, Naval, Defence and Air Staff in a closed door meeting. The Leahy Law The U.S. Congress deligation’s visit is coming almost two weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari’s visited the U.S. and had talks with President Barack Obama on the war on terror ongoing in north-eastern Nigeria, economic development and other issues of interest to both countries. Addressing a gathering at the United States Institute of Peace during his visit, President Buha...

Reports available to DAILY POST in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state reveals that the Nigerian military had during a raid recently at Benishiekh and Mainok towns of Kaga local government area of the troubled northeast state of Borno, arrested 30 shop owners over their close contact and sponsorship of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram. A security source who pleaded anonymous because he was not authorized to speak told DAILY POST on Sunday that the suspects were helping the security with vital information including names of prominent personalities. “There are going to be surprises if President Buhai is going to act on information at the disposal of security agencies. The rumour making the rounds about names of personalities involved in Boko Haram activities and sponsorship is going to shock many Nigerians. ” the arrests at Benishiekh last week when we raided the town is already giving signal to the fact that, prominent people are involved with Boko Haram. The...

Protest to that effect A woman has been sentenced to three and a half months in prison after being found guilty of using one of her breasts to assault a police officer. Ng Lai-ying, 30, was at a protest in Hong Kong in March when she claimed chief inspector Chan Ka-po had groped her left breast when he tried to grab her bag. But instead, a court said she had used her chest to bump against his arm, and 'used her female identity to trump up the allegation that the officer had molested' her. Dozens of activists wearing bras picketed outside the police headquarters of Wan Chai in Hong Kong on Sunday for a 'breast walk' to protest the decision, chanting: 'Breasts are not weapons - give us back our breast freedom.' 'We better watch out as one day police might accuse us of attacking with our penis or buttock,' a topless male activist wearing a black bra told the crowd.  Retired teacher James Hon, 66, wearing a pink bra over his wh...

In Nigeria, particularly among the Yoruba tribe where religious tolerance is most noticed, it is a regular occur­rence to see muslims convert to Christianity. Hardly do we see a Christian turn to Islam. However, a man, former Pastor Adekunle Afolabi, founder and leader of Apata Adu­ra Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ekute, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, broke that jinx recently. He converted fully to Islam after practising Christianity for over 25 years and even ris­en to become the General Overseer of his church, which have branches across Ekiti State. Now known and addressed as Alfa Abubakar Afolabi, the 45-year-old man attributed his conversion to a divine encounter he had with a strange man in white in his dreams who showed him certain flaws in Christianity and convinced him that indeed Islam is the only religion that leads to heaven. In this interview with WOLE BALOGUN at his Ekute, Ado Ekiti residence, Alfa Abubakar spoke extensively on his experience. Excerpts: How ...

He visited IDP camps in Maiduguri, Borno state today. More tweets below  

SaharaReporters has learned that the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, the death of whom will soon be officially announced, died at the London Clinic, located at 20 Devonshire Place in London. The palace of the late Oba is still denying his passing, but Premium Times reported at the weekend revealed that his body has already been secretly flown into Nigeria and placed within the palace to enable death rites of passage to commence. His death is expected to be officially announced as soon as the required traditional rituals are concluded in Ile-Ife. The Ooni was rushed to London on Friday July 24, and was taken from Heathrow Airport in an Ambulance to the clinic where he passed four days later. As expected of tradition, the death of Ooni is being wrapped in secrecy by the traditional council in Ile-Ife. SaharaReporters has confirmed the death of the monarch, but the traditional council, which began the required rites of passage last weekend, still ma...

The story by Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor, went on to point out that “Two weeks after sharing tax proceeds from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, the three tiers of government yesterday shared a larger amount of cash from the Federation Account for the month of June than they did for the month of May 2015.” With all due respects to my colleagues in the media, this is a story for the front page of every newspaper and headline news on electronic media. For those who have lately rained maledictions on the governors of Nigeria in general, and inexplicably Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state in particular, it might give them a pause for reflection on the true state of the nation’s economy. Without defending the governors against charges of profligate spending, the published allocation for June goes a long way towards sustaining the point that the fault is not entirely their own – irrespective of political affiliation, APGA, APC or PDP. Incidentally, the fa...

Being A Release Issued By The All Progressives Grand Alliance(Apga) Today,The 3rd Day Of August,2015 During A Press Conference Held In Umuahia In Response To The Arson Unleashed At Inec Office In Obingwa L.G.A Of Abia State On Sunday, 2nd August, 2015 The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Abia State, received with shock and utmost disappointment the news that INEC Office in Obingwa L.G.A has been set ablaze by political hoodlums suspected to be working for the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) and Abia State Government.  We are embarrassed that this criminal act of desperation is coming just few days after the Governorship Election Tribunal sitting In Umuahia ruled in favour of APGA and directed that materials used in Obingwa and two other LGAs be brought to the Tribunal premises for inspection as earlier requested by APGA, it is therefore very clear that the enemies of Abia who earlier failed woefully in their bid to stop APGA’s Governorship Petition from entering tri...

The leader of Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau is missing in a new video released by the sect today August 3rd. The 8 minutes video shows an unidentified young man speaking in the name of the Islamic State in West Africa and calling on people to be patient: "We are still present everywhere we had been before.". he said The video showed the sect members attacking a security checkpoint, seizing weapons, and slitting the throat of a man dressed in police uniform.

Former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi said people close to him know that he doesn't like money. He said this yesterday August 2nd during a special reception held in his honor by some of his friends in Abuja,. The comment was made in response to allegations by Governor Nyesom Wike that he embezzled money while in office.    "Governor Nyesome Wike has again sponsored one advert in a bid to rubbish me. Only God knows that if there is one thing I don’t like, I don’t like money. Anybody close to me knows that I don’t like money. The governor and PDP are afraid of me getting an appointment to the national executive council. The current president abhors corruption and the only way they can stop me from getting the appointment is to paint me with corruption. And the people that know me in Rivers State know that I don’t like money. In Rivers, people know I don’t like money.” he said

The Nigerian Army has ordered a review of the courts-martial of more than 600 soldiers and officers condemned to death for mutiny and deserting the battle against Boko Haram in the North East. AP reports that a statement released signed by army administrator, Maj. Gen. A. B. Abubakar yesterday August 2nd, states that all the accused and condemned soldiers will appear before a committee that will sit and review their cases in Kaduna state from Aug. 7 to Aug. 24. The soldiers had at different times revolted against their commanders over lack of weapons to fight Boko Haram members. Seems like former Chief of Defense Staff Alex Badeh now agrees with them.

Senate President Bukola Saraki arrived Maiduguri this morning where he will be visiting some IDP camps in the state. More photos below

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that all audit queries must henceforth be answered within 24 hours.The Auditor General of the Federation has also been ordered to resolve all outstanding audit queries within the next 30 days. This was contained in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. The statement read,  “The era of impunity is gone. The President is taking the war on corruption to the civil service.He is not happy that standard operating procedures and financial regulations are no longer being observed as they should.“President Buhari will ensure that public officials and civil servants in the service of the Federal Government pay a heavy price from now on for violating financial regulations or disregarding audit queries. “On his watch, President Buhari wants to see firm action against those who violate extant financial regulations, not the prevaricatio...

As president Buhari vowed to crush them by the end of 2015, Boko Haram has released a new video showing off their Artillery arsenal.In ISIS style, they also decapitated a Nigerian Police Officer, while calling on all believers of Islam to join up with them and fight the Nigerian State.